The following is a statement by Fentress County Sheriff Hunter Fowler posted to Facebook on May 7, 2026:
“I, After becoming aware of the situation involving inmate absentee ballots at the Fentress County Jail, I personally reviewed the available camera footage, spoke with involved parties, and examined the facts surrounding the incident.
Based on that review, the facts are as follows:
The six absentee ballots were mailed to the Sheriff’s Office and placed on the desk of the Jail Administrator with only the names of the inmates listed. Ms. Sue Cravens delivered ballots to five inmates (four female inmates and one male inmate). The sixth ballot belonged to an inmate who had already been released from custody prior to the ballots being delivered.
The inmates completed their ballots, sealed them in the provided envelopes, and returned the sealed envelopes to Ms. Cravens. After receiving the sealed ballots, which remained unopened, Joey Williams was contacted and notified that the voting process had taken place. Mr. Williams immediately recognized there was an issue with the procedure and promptly corrected it by returning to the jail with members of the Election Commission to properly administer the voting process, as required by law.
It is of the utmost importance that every qualified voter has the right to cast their ballot and have that ballot counted properly. At no point during my investigation did I find evidence that this was done as an attempt to influence, alter, or control anyone’s vote. However, the procedure was not handled correctly, and I do recognize the seriousness of that issue.
There will be disciplinary action taken regarding this matter, and I have worked closely with Joey Williams to ensure a situation like this does not happen again. Moving forward, absentee ballots delivered to the jail will be placed into a locked and sealed container provided by the Election Commission. Those ballots will remain secured until members of the Election Commission arrive personally to unlock the container and administer the voting process themselves. (I took a photo of these boxes and attached it to this post.)
I understand this situation may create frustration, criticism, and rumors. I also understand there will be political opinions attached to it. However, I believe every citizen deserves leadership that bases decisions on facts, not emotion, pressure, or public demand. If someone under my leadership makes a mistake, it will be addressed and addressed correctly. There will be accountability, and there will be a higher standard expected.
I have always believed in transparency, integrity, and telling the truth, even when it is difficult. There will be no cover-ups, no favoritism, and no misleading the public. Only the truth and the facts.
I know some people wanted immediate termination of Ms. Cravens. Ms. Craven’s had no intent to influence the election in any way and was acting on the best interests of the inmates, so that they had the ability to vote. The fact is this is not only my fist time being involved in an election, but also Sue Craven’s first time as jail administrator and being in a position to administrator these ballots. I also believe no one is perfect, and mistakes do happen. What matters is how those mistakes are addressed, corrected, and prevented in the future.
If there are any issues with how this was handled I have an open door policy. Please feel free to call me, or come by, and see me or the footage in person.
— Sheriff Hunter Fowler”
(Photo courtesy FCSO)
