PAROLE BOARDS USUALLY IGNORE THE OBJECTIONS OF AUTHORITIES TO THE RELEASE OF A PRISON INMATE THEY GET AT MANY PAROLE HEARINGS

Tennessee Quadruple Murder Suspect Freed Despite DA’s Explicit Parole Warning

By Jenna Curren

 

Law Enforcement Todat

Aug 8, 2025

 

Austin Drummond at the time of his arrest by the Jackson police

 

MADISON COUNTY, TN - In 2020, a Tennessee district attorney sent a letter to the Tennessee Board of Parole warning them that the alleged suspect in a quadruple murder case could pose a serious threat to the public.

At the time of the letter, Austin Drummond was in prison for an armed robbery, WSMV reported. The letter, written by 26th District Attorney General Jody Pickens, was sent to the parole board before Drummond's 2020 parole hearing. He was up for early release that July in connection with an armed robbery he committed at a gas station.

He was serving a 13-year sentence after he swiped $44 from a Circle K while armed, court records show. The letter described him as someone who is "not capable of living among society," with calls to his dad showing how he threatened jurors after his trial, saying "They are going to regret it" and "I'll be out one day," according to prosecutors. 

"This officer strongly opposes his early release on parole," Pickens wrote, condemning Drummond as a "dangerous felony offender" and confirmed member of the Vice Lords street and prison gang, Law & Crime reported. 

"He entered a Circle K convenience store and pointed a revolver pistol at the victim in this case as he demanded money from her," Pickens proclaimed. "After his jury trial, Drummond made a phone call to his father, where he threatened the jurors and the victim in this case."

Drummond is suspected of murdering four members of a family he allegedly "knew" just months after getting out of prison. He is being sought for the murders of 21-year-old James Matthew Wilson, 20-year-old Adrianna Williams, 38-year-old Cortney Rose, and 15-year-old Braydon Williams.

On Saturday, August 2nd, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said that two suspects were taken into custody over the weekend and charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. The individuals have been identified as Tanaka Brown and Giovonte Thomas. Details have not been released on how they allegedly "assisted" Drummond. 

Federal investigators and TBI agents have been on the ground in Tennessee, aiding police with the death investigation after the bodies of Drummond's alleged victims were found on Tuesday, July 29th, in Lake County. The probe stemmed from the discovery of Wilson and Williams' seven-month-old daughter in a "random individual's front yard" that day, police said. The victims were found around five hours later.

"Spot him? Do not approach!" the Dyer County Sheriff's Office warned on Facebook. In an update on Tuesday morning, August 5th, authorities announced the arrest of Drummond, WKRN reported. TBI released a photo of Drummond moments after he was taken into custody. 

Court records show that Drummond has multiple convictions on his record, including the robbery and a retaliation "for past action" charge, which is when someone commits an act of harming or threatening someone in response to their prior involvement in legal proceedings.

The retaliation charge reportedly stemmed from Drummond's threats that he made about jurors, which Pickens referenced in his letter. "Drummond's behavior while in prison should also be taken into consideration," the DA wrote. "He has 25 disciplinary actions against him that include refusing orders, drug possession, defiance, and being in possession of a deadly weapon."

Prosecutors said that Drummond was charged with attempted murder after he completed his sentence for the robbery in connection with an incident he was allegedly involved in while in prison, along with contraband in a correctional institution. 

Photos on Drummond's Facebook page, which authorities are using to share pictures of him during the ongoing manhunt, allegedly show him eating pizza and drinking alcohol while in prison. "This type of behavior clearly demonstrates that Drummond has no desire for rehabilitation," Pickens said. "And is not capable of living among society."