From Blount County Sheriff’s Office:

On Friday, August 15, 2025, the Blount County Sheriff’s Office received allegations of potential misconduct involving Friendsville Elementary School Principal, Stan Painter. Allegations of misconduct involving our school system are taken with the utmost seriousness, and a thorough investigation ensued. The investigation received all appropriate due diligence.

Anytime an allegation of serious misconduct against a child occurs, the matter is investigated fully by the appropriate law enforcement agency and the Department of Children’s Services. That investigation is then presented to the Child Protective Investigation Team, which is composed of law enforcement, prosecutors, DCS investigators, juvenile court personnel, medical experts and professionals with the New Hope Children’s Advocacy Center.

The Blount County Sheriff’s Office has completed their investigation and Blount County District Attorney General Ryan Desmond has reviewed the entirety of the investigation. Both Sheriff Berrong and General Desmond have concluded that the allegations made against Mr. Painter are unsubstantiated. This conclusion is based on careful review of relevant surveillance footage, conducting numerous witness interviews, and inspecting material records. The substantial weight of the evidence clearly indicates that Mr. Painter did not engage in any wrongful or immoral conduct.

While Sheriff Berrong and General Desmond will be the first to hold guilty actors accountable for their crimes, it is likewise their moral duty to defend those who are innocent. The evidence that resulted from this investigation clearly indicates that Stan Painter is not guilty of the allegations against him.

This investigation received all appropriate due diligence and was fully reviewed, per protocol. As such, this investigation is concluded, and we consider the matter closed.

Both Sheriff Berrong and General Desmond would like to thank the Blount County School System for their full cooperation in this matter. The BCS Administration has made good on their commitment to maintain full transparency and cooperation with necessary investigations.