TWO OVERTON COUNTY MEN SENTENCED FOR STEALING VALUABLE BLACK WALNUT TREE FROM TENNESSEE STATE FOREST
Two Overton County men have received sentences for cutting down and selling a massive black walnut tree from Standing Stone State Forest earlier this year.
Derek Smith and Marvin Hall both pleaded guilty to felony theft of property valued over $1,000 following an investigation by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) Agricultural Crime Unit (ACU).
The incident came to light on May 21, 2026, when the TDA Forestry Division discovered that a 55-foot-tall black walnut tree, measuring 30 inches in diameter, had been illegally felled. Investigators later learned the tree was removed and sold to a regional sawmill on the same day it was stolen.
The sawmill owner alerted authorities and helped identify Smith and Hall, leading to search warrants and grand jury indictments in August.
Sentences and Penalties
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Derek Smith: Pleaded guilty on September 14, receiving two years of probation, a $1,000 fine, and $2,050 in restitution.
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Marvin Hall: Pleaded guilty on October 5, receiving a two-year sentence with six months served in custody and 18 months on probation, alongside a $3,000 fine and $2,050 in restitution.
In addition to their fines and probation, both men have been permanently banned from Standing Stone State Forest and Standing Stone State Park.
TDA Commissioner Andy Holt praised the collaboration between the Agricultural Crime Unit, the Forestry Division, and state park rangers, emphasizing that the successful prosecution highlights the state’s dedication to protecting its natural resources.
