Sheriff Disputes Accused Molester's Attorney

Catoosa County Sheriff Phil Summers is disputing a statement made yesterday by Chris Townley, the attorney representing Tonya Henke Craft. Craft is charged with four counts of child molestation and one count of aggravated sexual battery.

Summers says that is the policy of his department to only provide "limited information" in regards to sexual offenses. He said, "It is realized that these cases can be devastating to the victims and suspects alike and should be dealt with through the criminal justice system and not through the news media."

The Sheriff said however that he felt compelled to issue a statement today following comments made by Townley. Townley told NewsChannel 9 and other media outlets that Craft was never given the opportunity by the sheriff's office to tell her side of the story. Townley also said investigators promised Craft the opportunity to take a polygraph test, and if she passed it, she wouldn't be charged. That test, according to Townley, never happened.

Today Sheriff Summers issued a statment saying, "I disagree with the information provided yesterday by (Townley) in regards to the handling of this case. It appears statements were made that law enforcement never attempted to interview Ms. Craft and that she agreed to a polygraph test but law enforcement refused to administer this test. I feel it is important to correct statements made to the news media in regards to this case."

Sheriff Summers says that his investigators wanted to interview Ms. Craft and she refused. He acknowledged that discussions did occur for a polygraph test, but said "Ms. Craft's attorney would not agree for her to take a 'stipulated' polygraph test. Mr. Townley discussed with the District Attorney's Office the possibility of an 'unstipulated' polygraph test which ultimately the District Attorney's Office declined."

The Sheriff says that the difference between the two tests is that a stipulated test may be presented as evidence in court, while unstipulated test results cannot be used against the suspect. He says a stipulated polygraph was offered to Craft but she and her attorney declined.

Sheriff Summers said, "In this case, it is Mr. Townley's responsibility to represent his client to the best of his ability. It is my responsibility as Sheriff to represent the investigators especially when there are any indications of unfair or inappropriate conduct. I felt the events of this investigation were unfairly represented yesterday. I simply wish to set the record straight."

Craft meanwhile is free on a $50,000 bond.