A Sparta man is wanted by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office after deputies say he provided a fake name during an investigation on July 31, 2026.

According to an incident report filed by Deputy Michael Winebarger, authorities initially responded to the area of Highway 70 West and Old TN-1 regarding a suspicious person on a red four-wheeler. The reporting deputy encountered a male walking nearby, later identified as 28-year-old Robert W. Porter, who claimed he had been walking because his dog jumped out of a van.

When asked to identify himself, the suspect stated his name was “Bobbie Gentrey” and refused to provide further information, appearing nervous and shaking.

Investigators later determined that “Bobbie Gentrey” did not exist in records. With assistance from the White County Sheriff’s Office, deputies linked the black minivan the suspect had been driving to a residence on Gayhart Trail and positively identified him as Robert Porter. Workers at a nearby business also reported that the suspect had admitted inside to having active warrants.

Porter now faces charges of criminal impersonation and driving with a suspended license. He was not located at the time warrants were issued.