BLOUNTVILLE -- A former corrections sergeant with the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office and former assistant Scoutmaster of a Boy Scout troop in Kingsport is now set for a Feb. 4, 2013, trial on dozens of charges related to sexual exploitation of children and official misconduct.
Randy Hass, 45, of 308 R.C. Barrett Road, Kingsport, is charged with five counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor and 27 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. The new trial date and a Nov. 7 announcement date were scheduled during a Thursday morning appearance in Sullivan County Criminal Court.
Sullivan County Assistant District Attorney William Harper advised the prior Oct. 29 trial date had been set tentatively and was pushed back because the parties agreed they would not be ready by that date.
The 16-year veteran SCSO officer was fired in April 2011, less than 24 hours after the sheriff's office launched an internal investigation into allegations against him. The FBI was contacted to assist police and the district attorney's office in a criminal probe.
"Thousands" of images containing minors engaged in sexual activity were allegedly discovered on Hass' computer and cell phone. Authorities say Hass either appeared in, or is believed to have personally taken, some of the photographs. Others were reportedly downloaded from the Internet.
Hass was indicted Nov. 15, 2011, by a Sullivan County grand jury. He was arraigned and pleaded not guilty to the charges in February.
According to court records, the charges stem from his alleged possession of photographs that "include a minor engaged in sexual activity and simulated sexual activity which is patently offensive."
The aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor charges claim he did "employ, use, assist, transport or permit a minor to participate in the performance of acts" that are patently offensive.
He was also indicted on five charges of official misconduct. He turned himself in to police on Nov. 18, 2011, and was released upon posting $100,000 bond.
Sullivan County Sheriff Wayne Anderson has described his investigation of Hass as the "most disgusting and sickening employee investigation" in his 13 years as sheriff.
Doug Mitchell, assistant Scout executive for the Sequoyah Council, told the Times-News last year that Hass was first registered as leader of a Kingsport troop in 2000. His registration with that same troop continued through 2010, identifying him as an assistant Scoutmaster when it expired.
Mitchell said Hass was also registered as the leader of a Boy Scout Explorer Post at the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office from 2002 through 2008.
Authorities have declined to specify Hass' relationship with the alleged victims, but Anderson said he made contact with them through work in "youth activities."
At a November 2011 press conference, Anderson and Sullivan County Assistant District Attorney Julie Canter declined to specify the number of alleged victims or how long Hass had been engaged in the alleged activities. Anderson said Hass is not believed to have been working in his capacity at the sheriff's office, or representing himself as such, when the incidents occurred.
Hass faces a sentence of between 105 and 190 years if convicted as charged.
