| Sources |
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 21 Aug 2012.
Charles Manning obituary
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 24 Jun 2003.
Still Shining
Popcorn Sutton is shown with a still display at The Hard Times Club Street Rod Show in Newport this past weekend.©2003 NPT PHOTO BY JEFF MANES
While visiting Newport during The Hard Times Street Rod Clubs' The Moonshine Rod Run, Popcorn Sutton made the 20th annual event a true moonshine experience.
The Maggie Valley, N.C. resident was in town to participate in the celebration of vintage automobiles at Newport's City Park. The acknowledged grand elder of western North Carolina moonshiners, Sutton is the author of an autobiography entitled Me and My Likker and star in the cult classic film The Last Run.
Sutton is known across the south for his craft, which he does not try to conceal what he has become famous for. He is the last of a generation that has almost become forgotten. In his autobiography and movie, he has managed to capture and share the lost art and mindset of the era for generations to come.
During the two-day car show, there was a second attraction which drew hundreds of eyeballs, a display of moonshine stills around Sutton's vehicle. From the display visitors were able to purchase Sutton's video and meet a piece of walking, talking, breathing part of Appalachian history for themselves. Many at the event have heard tale of Sutton from friends or family and now were able to meet him.
Parked next to the Sutton moonshine display was a Mayberryish vintage of police car of Sutton's friend Mark Ramsey. A stark contrast to the relationship that have occurred between Sutton and law enforcement in the past. It has been reported that he has been arrested many years ago for his craft. Today he speaks kind words of law enforcement.
Still Shining
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 4 Jun 2005.
World famous moonshiner to headline Del Rio's 4th of July celebration
DEL RIO- Popcorn Sutton, the self proclaimed "best whiskey maker alive today" will demonstrate the fine art of "moonshine makin" at the Del Rio Preservation Society's third annual patriotic and cultural festival on Saturday, July 2nd at the Society's grounds on Highway 107 South in this East Tennessee mountain community.
Sutton, of Maggie Valley, North Carolina, is a frequent visitor to Cocke County, has many friends here and is immediately recognized around the world as an unforgettable character from the Smoky Mountains. He's the author of a book on his own life, the subject of many film and television documentaries and a much sought after expert on "mountain dew."
Beginning at 10 a.m. the show features local foods, entertainers, children's games and artists and crafters. Robert Ashley, preacher at Del Rio Church of God on Blue Mill Road will offer the invocation. Bobby Seay of Seay's Country Store and other local vendors will sell lunches, desserts and beverages.
"The entire Del Rio community will be honored," said the Society festival planning committee," as we celebrate our mountain families, showcase our musicians and singers and display much of our history from a hundred years ago." The old Runnion Store, now owned by James and Evelyn Adams, will be available for tours and local history buffs will share stories and photographs of the growth of the community. "And it will be good to see our friend Popcorn back in the mountains of Del Rio. He's an interesting fellow," they said.
The Society welcomes art and craft vendors by calling Tommye Dene Jones at 423-623-2629 to assure their display space at the festival and for general festival information, entertainers should call Evelyn Adams at 423-487-5583 for their performance times, churches and local families who wish to participate should contact Francis Simpson at 423-487-3067.
"This festival has grown so in the last two years", said the committee, "that we'll have a "full house" of crafters and entertainers. We want to welcome everyone but to be included they'll have to register as soon as possible."
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 2 Jul 2005.
Del Rio's Fourth of July celebration
Del Rio's Fourth of July celebration was held Saturday with special guest Popcorn Sutton, a popular moonshiner from the Smoky Mountains. Sutton, who claims to be the best moonshine maker around, sold videos and books and talked "shine" to visitors.
Del Rio's Fourth of July celebration was held Saturday with special guest Popcorn Sutton, a popular moonshiner from the Smoky Mountains. Sutton, who claims to be the best moonshine maker around, sold videos and books and talked "shine" to visitors. Pictured is Sutton signing books for Scott Jones and Wanye Lawson.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 25 Apr 2007.
Fire investigation underway After stills discovered
NEWPORT-Investigation continues in the case of a large fire reported Tuesday afternoon at 324 Upper Road.
According to Sgt. Armando Fontes of the Cocke County Sheriff's Department, he was on patrol in the Parrottsville community when he noticed a "large fire." Upon arriving at the area of the fire, Fontes said that members of both the Parrottsville and Cocke County Fire Departments were already on the scene. Fontes stated that while he was at the scene, he noticed a large still. At that point, according to Fontes, the owner of the residence, identified in reports as Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton, 60, approached him and asked Fontes "not to tell anyone about the still he had at his residence."
Fontes said that he told Sutton that, as an officer of the court, he (Fontes) had an obligation to investigate all suspicious or illegal activity.
Fontes then called for Deputy Ronnie Hall to assist him at the scene. The two officers then found a large amount of copper tubing and coils, three large stills, a large amount of barley, several 25-pound bags of sugar, several propane tanks, large rolls of thick paper, jar lids, several cardboard boxes, several glass containers, a large wooden barrel, and 55-gallon metal drums. At this point, Fontes notified Detective Robert Caldwell of the Cocke County Sheriff's Department. Fontes and Hall then processed the scene, collected evidence, and recovered 37 half-gallon glass jugs of suspected moonshine.
The officers next contacted ATF officials, who, in turn, notified ABC personnel. Cocke County Sheriff Claude Strange said this morning that the investigation is now being conducted by ABC officials.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 27 Apr 2007.
"Popcorn" Sutton Faces Charges
NEWPORT-Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton now has a court date. According to Cocke County Sessions Court records, Sutton is to appear in their court on Wednesday, May 9, to answer charges of possession of untaxed liquor (moonshine) and possession of a still or apparatus or parts of a still. The charges were filed Wednesday by TABC Special Agents Randall Poe and Chad Beck.
Sutton's arrest came as a result of an investigation into a fire Tuesday afternoon at Sutton's home, 324 Upper Road, Parrottsville.
According to the Parrottsville Volunteer Fire Department, they received a call about a structure fire at the address at 5:18 p.m.
They were later joined by members of the Long Creek Volunteer Fire Department and the Cocke County Fire Department.
Fire department records show that upon their arrival, an outbuilding at the Sutton home was fully engulfed in flames and that no one was at the Sutton home at the time. Fire department members then proceeded to extinguish the blaze and to prevent its spread to other buildings.
During this time, Cocke County Sheriff Department Sgt. Armando Fontes, who was on patrol in the area, noticed the fire and joined the group.
In his report of the incident, Fontes said that the owner of the residence, later identified as Sutton, 60, approached him and asked that Fontes not "tell anyone about the still he had at his residence."
Fontes and Deputy Ronnie Hall later discovered a large amount of copper tubing and coils, three large stills, a large amount of barley, several 25-pound bags of sugar, and other items at the site.
Also found were 37 one-half gallon jars of a clear liquid, later determined to be moonshine whiskey.
Parrottsville Volunteer Fire Department records estimate the loss of the building and its contents at $30,000-$40,000.
Sutton is well-known in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina as a speaker about moonshining. He is also author of the book, "Me and My Likker."
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 11 May 2007.
"Popcorn" Sutton sends case to grand jury to make his wedding day
Mild-mannered moonshiner "Popcorn" Sutton was not about to stay in jail after his recent run-in with the law over alleged moonshine production at his Parrottsville home.
Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton waived his right to a preliminary hearing and asked that his case be presented to the Cocke County Grand Jury.
This bought him some time, because he plans to get married this Sunday, May 13, at Parrottsville City Park. Hundreds of people are expected to attend the wedding.
The popular and affable Sutton will marry Pamela Lethco at 3 p.m. at Parrott-LaRue-Myers-Park-rumor is it will be a shotgun wedding-at least a white painted shotgun with ribbons.
How did a former moonshine craftsman get into trouble? A building on his property caught fire on April 24 and firefighters were called to the Upper Road property. They reportedly found three stills.
The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission agents reported that three 500-gallon stills and 37 half-gallon jugs of alleged moonshine were seized along with whiskey production paraphernalia.
On Wednesday in Cocke County General Sessions Court, he appeared to answer the charges and requested the case be moved to circuit court, which it has been. He was released on his own recognizance on a $5,000 signature bond.
The 61-year-old is somewhat of a celebrity moonshiner, as he has produced videos and books about his moonshine art offering them for sale in Newport. He only admits to having run his last batch of moonshine years ago.
He is a slight built man, with bushy gray beard often wearing a brimmed-hat and aside from his former self-proclaimed moonshining, he is known to be a friendly, good neighbor.
The fire reportedly did about $200,000 in damages to his property, he told firefighters.
Many people like and support Sutton and so he was happy to say that more than 3,000 people had signed a petition on his behalf.
If you failed to sign the petition and want to meet this most interesting man, attend his wedding on Sunday. But don't expect any moonshine at the park.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 3 Jul 2007.
'Popcorn' Sutton sentenced on moonshine charges
NEWPORT-Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton was sentenced in Cocke County Circuit Court on moonshine-related charges Monday. According to District Attorney General Jimmy Dunn, Sutton, 60, of 324 Upper Road, Parrottsville, received a $3,000 fine and two years probation for possession of moonshine in excess of three gallons and was sentenced to an additional six months probation and fined $50 for possession of still. Sutton had waived his right to a preliminary hearing back in May and asked that his case be presented to the Cocke County Grand Jury. The still was discovered after a building on his property caught fire on April 24 and firefighters were called to the Upper Road property. They reportedly found three stills. Officers also found a large amount of copper tubing and coils, three large stills, a large amount of barley, several 25-pound bags of sugar, several propane tanks, large rolls of thick paper, jar lids, several cardboard boxes, several glass containers, a large wooden barrel, and 55-gallon metal drums. The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission agents reported that three 500-gallon stills and 37 half-gallon jugs of alleged moonshine were seized along with whiskey production paraphernalia.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 28 Oct 2007.
...
Speaking of history, I got a call from the History Channel seeking permission to use a headline and story presentation for a future TV documentary. I'm thinking: Snakehandling? Corruption? After talking with a person with the company, she said their interest was in the Popcorn Sutton story and headline. I found out the production company is in Massachusetts. The name for the documentary is "Southern Highlands" and it began airing in late Sept. One of our stories written by Duay O'Neil got prominent position on national TV making Duay an instant idol.
...
Just Plain Talk: Greet some spooks about town
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 16 Mar 2008.
Moonshiner Supreme 'Popcorn' Sutton, 61, Faces Charges - Again
GREENEVILLE-A Parrottsville man with a long history of convictions for making untaxed whiskey is facing new federal moonshine-manufacturing, moonshine-selling and firearms charges in U.S. District Court here.
At the conclusion of a 10 a.m. Friday hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge Dennis Inman ordered Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton, 61, of 324 Upper Road, Parrottsville, detained in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending March 28 detention and preliminary hearings.
Sutton, according to several Web sites, is the author of a self-published book about making moonshine as well as having been featured in a documentary shown recently on cable television's Discovery Channel.
Sutton had been named in a four-count criminal complaint filed March 13 by Gregory Moore, a special agent with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE).
The criminal complaint charges that on or about Feb. 14, 2008, Sutton, having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, "did knowingly possess, a Star .380 caliber, semi-automatic pistol."
The second count of the federal complaint charges that "from a time unknown but by early 2007," and continuing up to March 13, 2008, Sutton, aided and abetted by another man, identified as Billy Hux, "did knowingly produce distilled spirits by distillation from mash and other material."
Hux, according to the U.S. Attorney's office, had not been taken into custody as of Friday and was still being sought.
Neither man was, during the period specified, "a distiller authorized by law to produce distilled spirits," according to the criminal complaint.
The third count of the criminal complaint alleged that Sutton, aided and abetted by Hux, carried on a business subject to a special tax imposed by Title 26, United States Code, on dealers in distilled spirits, "and willfully failed to pay the special tax as required by law."
The fourth count of the complaint charges that between Feb. 7, 2008, and Feb. 28, 2008, Sutton, aided and abetted by Hux, "did transport, possess, sell and transfer distilled spirits for which the immediate containers did not bear the type of closures and other devices required by [federal law]." May Have Violated Probation
The new federal charges against Sutton are expected to result in the filing of a state probation-revocation warrant in Cocke County against Sutton, Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Reeves told Judge Inman during Sutton's Friday morning court appearance here.
On July 7, 2007, in the Criminal Court of Cocke County, Sutton had been sentenced to a term of two years' probation for possession of untaxed liquor in excess of three gallons, according to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint.
On Friday, Asst. U.S. Attorney Reeves told Judge Inman that he understood the Fourth Judicial District Attorney's office planned to file a probation-revocation warrant against Sutton and asked that Sutton be held in custody pending the filing of that charge.
The federal criminal complaint noted that the most recent state charge against Sutton was filed after an April 24, 2007, incident in which several local fire departments responded to a reported fire at Sutton's 324 Upper Road, Parrottsville property.
"The fire was extinguished and the owner of the property (Sutton), was interviewed," the federal criminal complaint said. "During the interview Sutton admitted his knowledge of the presence of approximately 650 gallons of untaxed alcohol, commonly referred to as 'moonshine' and further admitted to knowingly and willingly manufacturing the moonshine with the operable moonshine still that was on his property."
The "crime scene investigation, evidence seized and interviews conducted concluded that Sutton was knowingly manufacturing and possessing moonshine," according to the criminal complaint.
Previous Convictions
The federal criminal complaint lists other previous convictions for moonshine-related crimes on Sutton's record.
In 1974, according to the complaint, he was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and later charged for multiple violations of the Internal Revenue Laws pertaining to liquor. "Sutton was convicted of the aforementioned charge and was sentenced in 1975," the complaint said.
In 1981, Sutton was convicted and sentenced in the Haywood County Superior Court, N.C., for felony possession of a controlled substance and received a five-year sentence.
In 1985, Sutton was convicted and sentenced in the Haywood County Superior Court in North Carolina for felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. Sutton received a three-year sentence. Undercover Agent
On February 7, 2008, according to the federal criminal complaint, an agent of the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (ABC), functioning in an undercover capacity, met Sutton "for the purpose of purchasing moonshine in excess of 50 gallons."
The undercover agent initially met Sutton at his Parrottsville residence and engaged Sutton in conversation, according to the complaint. "During the conversation, Sutton advised the undercover agent that Sutton currently had firearms and moonshine in his possession," the complaint said. "Sutton also advised the [agent] that [he] has been engaged in the business of manufacturing and distributing moonshine for many years."
Loaded A Few Gallons
After that conversation, the [agent] loaded a few gallons of moonshine in his vehicle and then was taken to 127 Loftis Road, Parrottsville, by Sutton.
While at the Loftis Road location, the agent, Sutton and an individual identified as "Billy" (later identified as Billy Hux) loaded approximately 80 gallons of moonshine into the agent's vehicle, according to the complaint.
During a conversation at the Loftis Road location, Sutton allegedly told the agent "that several individuals had recently each acquired in excess of 50 gallons of moonshine from him."
On Feb. 14, 2008, an agent of the Alcoholic Beverage Commission, acting in an undercover capacity, was shown by Sutton "a Star .380-cal. pistol and an unknown manufactured revolver in .38 caliber."
Loaded 100 Gallons
Also on that date, Sutton and the undercover agent loaded approximately 100 gallons of moonshine into the agent's vehicle.
On Feb. 28, the undercover agent again met Sutton at his Parrottsville residence. On that date, according to the affidavit, the agent, Sutton, and an individual who identified himself as Billy Hux loaded approximately 100 gallons of moonshine into the agent's vehicle.
The affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint alleged during the week of March 3, 2008, the undercover agent had a phone conversation with Sutton in which Sutton said "he had conducted a count of all moonshine" that he (Sutton) currently had available to sell.
"Sutton advised that he had 500 gallons in Tennessee and 400 gallons in Maggie Valley, N.C.," the criminal complaint said.
500 Gallons In Storage
On March 12, Sutton took the undercover agent to the Loftis Road location and showed the agent that he had 500 gallons of moonshine in a storage building there, according to the complaint.
On the same day, Sutton and Hux took the undercover agent to a barn located off Scott Pond Road in Parrottsville, according to the complaint.
"Inside the barn were three moonshine stills," the federal criminal complaint said. "The undercover agent estimated that the smallest of the stills was 500 gallons and the largest was twice that capacity. Two of the stills were operating and the third still was being prepared for cooking."
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 30 Mar 2008.
Popcorn Sutton released from custody To be in home confinement program
GREENEVILLE-A Parrottsville man who is facing federal moonshine-manufacturing, moonshine-selling and firearms charges was released from custody on a $20,000 bond following a Friday morning hearing in U.S. District Court. Court records indicate that U.S. Magistrate Judge Dennis Inman ordered Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton, 61, of 324 Upper Road, Parrottsville, released, subject to conditions, from custody after Sutton waived a preliminary hearing on the charges. Sutton next is to appear before U.S. District Judge Ronnie Greer on April 3, for a change of plea hearing, according to an order issued by Judge Inman setting the conditions of his release. Under those conditions, court records say, Sutton is restricted from traveling outside the Eastern District of Tennessee, must avoid contact with co-defendant Billy Hux and must refrain from possessing firearms and from any use of alcohol or illegal drugs. In addition, Judge Inman ordered Sutton to take part in a "home-confinement" program with electronic monitoring. Also, Sutton is required, as a condition of his release, to permit searches of his residence, other structures and real property by the U.S. Probation Department while awaiting his next court appearance. Hux Waives Hearing Sutton's co-defendant, Billy Hux, also waived a preliminary hearing in U.S. District Court on Friday morning. Hux, who is accused of aiding and abetting Sutton, is scheduled for arraignment at 9 a.m. April 16, according to court records. He was allowed to remain free on bond, subject to conditions, until that time. While awaiting his next court appearance, Hux also is ordered to refrain from contacting Sutton "or any other person involved in moonshine operations," according to court records. He also is to refrain from possessing a firearm and from "excessive use" of alcohol. Sutton Background Sutton, according to several Web sites, is the author of a self-published book about making moonshine as well as having been featured in a documentary shown recently on cable television's Discovery Channel. Sutton and Hux had been named in a four-count criminal complaint filed March 13 by Gregory Moore, a special agent with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE). The criminal complaint charges that on or about Feb. 14, 2008, Sutton, having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, "did knowingly possess, a Star .380 caliber, semi-automatic pistol." The second count of the federal complaint charges that "from a time unknown but by early 2007," and continuing up to March 13, 2008, Sutton, aided and abetted by another man, identified as Billy Hux, "did knowingly produce distilled spirits by distillation from mash and other material." Neither man was, during the period specified, "a distiller authorized by law to produce distilled spirits," according to the criminal complaint. The third count of the criminal complaint alleged that Sutton, aided and abetted by Hux, carried on a business subject to a special tax imposed by Title 26, United States Code, on dealers in distilled spirits, "and willfully failed to pay the special tax as required by law." The fourth count of the complaint charges that between Feb. 7, 2008, and Feb. 28, 2008, Sutton, aided and abetted by Hux, "did transport, possess, sell and transfer distilled spirits for which the immediate containers did not bear the type of closures and other devices required by [federal law]." May Have Violated Probation The new federal charges against Sutton are expected to result in the filing of a state probation-revocation warrant in Cocke County against Sutton, Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Reeves told Judge Inman during Sutton's Friday morning court appearance here. On July 7, 2007, in the Criminal Court of Cocke County, Sutton had been sentenced to a term of two years' probation for possession of untaxed liquor in excess of three gallons, according to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint. The federal criminal complaint noted that the most recent state charge against Sutton was filed after an April 24, 2007, incident in which several local fire departments responded to a reported fire at Sutton's 324 Upper Road, Parrottsville property. "The fire was extinguished and the owner of the property (Sutton), was interviewed," the federal criminal complaint said. "During the interview Sutton admitted his knowledge of the presence of approximately 650 gallons of untaxed alcohol, commonly referred to as 'moonshine' and further admitted to knowingly and willingly manufacturing the moonshine with the operable moonshine still that was on his property." The "crime scene investigation, evidence seized and interviews conducted concluded that Sutton was knowingly manufacturing and possessing moonshine," according to the criminal complaint. Previous Convictions The federal criminal complaint lists other previous convictions for moonshine-related crimes on Sutton's record. In 1974, according to the complaint, he was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and later charged for multiple violations of the Internal Revenue Laws pertaining to liquor. "Sutton was convicted of the aforementioned charge and was sentenced in 1975," the complaint said. In 1981, Sutton was convicted and sentenced in the Haywood County Superior Court, N.C., for felony possession of a controlled substance and received a five-year sentence. In 1985, Sutton was convicted and sentenced in the Haywood County Superior Court in North Carolina for felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. Sutton received a three-year sentence. Undercover Agent On February 7, 2008, according to the federal criminal complaint, an agent of the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (ABC), functioning in an undercover capacity, met Sutton "for the purpose of purchasing moonshine in excess of 50 gallons." The undercover agent initially met Sutton at his Parrottsville residence and engaged Sutton in conversation, according to the complaint. "During the conversation, Sutton advised the undercover agent that Sutton currently had firearms and moonshine in his possession," the complaint said. "Sutton also advised the [agent] that [he] has been engaged in the business of manufacturing and distributing moonshine for many years." Loaded A Few Gallons After that conversation, the [agent] loaded a few gallons of moonshine in his vehicle and then was taken to 127 Loftis Road, Parrottsville, by Sutton. While at the Loftis Road location, the agent, Sutton and an individual identified as "Billy" (later identified as Billy Hux) loaded approximately 80 gallons of moonshine into the agent's vehicle, according to the complaint. During a conversation at the Loftis Road location, Sutton allegedly told the agent "that several individuals had recently each acquired in excess of 50 gallons of moonshine from him." On Feb. 14, 2008, an agent of the Alcoholic Beverage Commission, acting in an undercover capacity, was shown by Sutton "a Star .380-cal. pistol and an unknown manufactured revolver in .38 caliber."
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 4 Apr 2008.
'Popcorn' Sutton Pleads Guilty In Moonshine Case
GREENEVILLE-A Parrottsville man pleaded guilty Thursday morning in U.S. District Court here to manufacturing moonshine and illegally possessing firearms. Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton, 61, of 324 Upper Road, Parrottsville, appeared in a change-of-plea hearing before U.S. District Judge Ronnie Greer. Sutton's sentencing hearing was scheduled for Aug. 4 before Judge Greer. He was released on a $20,000 bond. Sutton faces up to 10 years in federal prison for the charge of manufacturing moonshine and up to five years in a federal prison for the charge of possessing firearms as a felon. Sutton entered guilty pleas for each count in a two-count information signed by Robert M. Reeves, an assistant U.S. attorney. Count one states that between Feb. 14 and March 13, Sutton was a felon in possession of a .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol and a .38-caliber revolver. Count two states that from at least early 2007 to March 13, Sutton produced distilled spirits by distillation from mash and other material. Moonshine Found Sutton's plea agreement filed Thursday says that on April 24, 2007, several local fire departments responded to a fire at 324 Upper Road, Parrottsville. The fire was extinguished, and the owner of the property, Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton, was interviewed. "During the interview, Sutton admitted his knowledge of the presence of untaxed alcohol, commonly referred to as 'moonshine' and further admitted to knowingly and willingly manufacturing the moonshine with the operable moonshine still that was on his property," the plea agreement states. As a result, Sutton was sentenced on July 7, 2007, to two years of probation for possession of untaxed liquor in excess of three gallons. On Feb. 7, 2008, an undercover agent of the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) met Sutton for the purpose of purchasing moonshine in excess of 50 gallons, according to the plea agreement. On Feb. 14 and Feb. 28, an undercover TABC agent met Sutton for the purpose of purchasing moonshine in excess of 100 gallons. The week of March 3, an undercover TABC agent had a phone conversation with Sutton, and Sutton said he had 500 gallons of moonshine to sell in Tennessee and 400 gallons to sell in Maggie Valley, N.C. On March 12, Sutton took an undercover TABC agent to a barn on Scott Pond Road, where three moonshine stills were located. A total of 1,110 gallons of sour mash that would have produced approximately 130 gallons of moonshine were seized by the TABC and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, according to the plea agreement. Released On Conditions Sutton was released on the same $20,000 bond imposed in March and on the same conditions imposed at that time by U.S. Magistrate Judge Dennis Inman. Under those conditions, Sutton is restricted from traveling outside the Eastern District of Tennessee, and must refrain from possessing firearms and from any use of alcohol or illegal drugs. In addition, Sutton must take part in a "home-confinement" program with electronic monitoring. Also, Sutton is required to allow searches of his residence, other structures and real property by the U.S. Probation Department while awaiting his next court appearance. Judge Greer told Sutton that if he is found in possession of firearms, that would be considered a serious violation. Sutton assured Judge Greer that he would not be near any guns. Sutton's Background Sutton is well known by many for his years of moonshine production, and, according to several Web sites, is the author of a self-published book about making moonshine titled "Me and My Likker." In 1974, according to court documents, he was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and later charged for multiple violations of the Internal Revenue Laws pertaining to liquor. He was convicted and sentenced in 1975. In 1981, Sutton was convicted and sentenced in the Haywood County Superior Court in North Carolina for felony possession of a controlled substance and received a five-year sentence. In 1985, Sutton was convicted and sentenced in the Haywood County Superior Court in North Carolina for felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. Sutton received a three-year sentence.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 24 Aug 2008.
Sentencing hearing for Sutton rescheduled
GREENEVILLE-A sentencing hearing for Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton has been rescheduled to Sept. 22 in U.S. District Court in Greeneville.
Sutton, 61, of 324 Upper Road Parrottsville, was initially to be sentenced Aug. 4. The hearing was then rescheduled for Sept. 8 until being rescheduled again.
In April, Sutton pleaded guilty to manufacturing moonshine and illegally possessing firearms before Judge Ronnie Greer. He was released on $20,000 bond.
Sutton faces up to 10 years in federal prison for the charge of manufacturing moonshine and up to five years in federal prison for the firearms charge.
The first count contends between Feb. 14 and March 13, Sutton was a felon in possession of a .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol and a .38-caliber revolver. Count two states that from at least early 2007 to March 13, Sutton produced distilled spirits by distillation from mash and other material.
Sutton's plea agreement says that on April 24, 2007, several local fire departments responded to a fire at 324 Upper Road, Parrottsville. The fire was extinguished, and the owner of the property, Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton, was interviewed.
"During the interview, Sutton admitted his knowledge of the presence of untaxed alcohol, commonly referred to as 'moonshine' and further admitted to knowingly and willingly manufacturing the moonshine with the operable moonshine still that was on his property," the plea agreement states.
As a result, Sutton was sentenced on July 7, 2007, to two years of probation for possession of untaxed liquor in excess of three gallons.
On Feb. 7, 2008, an undercover agent of the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) met Sutton for the purpose of purchasing moonshine in excess of 50 gallons, according to the plea agreement. On Feb. 14 and Feb. 28, an undercover TABC agent met Sutton for the purpose of purchasing moonshine in excess of 100 gallons.
The week of March 3, an undercover TABC agent had a phone conversation with Sutton, and Sutton said he had 500 gallons of moonshine to sell in Tennessee and 400 gallons to sell in Maggie Valley, N.C.
On March 12, Sutton took an undercover TABC agent to a barn on Scott Pond Road, where three moonshine stills were located.
A total of 1,110 gallons of sour mash that would have produced approximately 130 gallons of moonshine were seized by the TABC and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, according to the plea agreement.
Sutton was released on the same $20,000 bond imposed in March and on the same conditions imposed at that time by U.S. Magistrate Judge Dennis Inman.
Under those conditions, Sutton is restricted from traveling outside the Eastern District of Tennessee, and must refrain from possessing firearms and from any use of alcohol or illegal drugs.
In addition, Sutton must take part in a "home-confinement" program with electronic monitoring.
Also, Sutton is required to allow searches of his residence, other structures and real property by the U.S. Probation Department while awaiting his next court appearance.
Judge Greer told Sutton that if he is found in possession of firearms, that would be considered a serious violation. Sutton assured Judge Greer that he would not be near any guns.
Sutton is well known by many for his years of moonshine production, and, according to several Web sites, is the author of a self-published book about making moonshine titled "Me and My Likker."
In 1974, according to court documents, he was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and later charged for multiple violations of the Internal Revenue Laws pertaining to liquor. He was convicted and sentenced in 1975.
In 1981, Sutton was convicted and sentenced in the Haywood County Superior Court in North Carolina for felony possession of a controlled substance and received a five-year sentence.
In 1985, Sutton was convicted and sentenced in the Haywood County Superior Court in North Carolina for felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. Sutton received a three-year sentence.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 9 Sep 2008.
Hux gets probation for aiding, abetting in moonshine case
Author: Bill Jones
GREENEVILLE-A Cocke County man was sentenced in U.S. District Court on Monday to two years of probation for aiding and abetting legendary Cocke County moonshine maker Marvin "Popcorn" Shelton in producing moonshine.
In addition to placing Billy Hux, 45, of Parrottsville, on supervised federal probation for two years, U.S. District Judge Ronnie Greer also directed Hux to complete 150 hours of community service work.
In addition, Judge Greer directed Hux to participate in mental health and drug and/or alcohol abuse treatment programs as directed by the U.S. Probation Department.
The judge also waived imposition of a fine in Hux's case.
Hux had waived indictment by a federal grand jury and had pleaded guilty last April 3 to a one-count federal "information."
The information document said that "from a time unknown, but by early 2007, and continuing up March 13, 2007, ... "did knowingly aid and abet Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton, who is not a distiller authorized to produce distilled spirits, in the production of distilled spirits by distillation from mash and other material."
Case Background
A plea agreement signed by Hux earlier this year includes a list of incidents in which Hux allegedly assisted Sutton in making untaxed whiskey.
On February 7, 2008, an agent of the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission, functioning in an undercover capacity (UC), met Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton for the purpose of purchasing moonshine in excess of fifty gallons, the plea agreement.
"The [undercover agent] initially met Sutton at 324 Upper Road, Parrottsville, and engaged Sutton in conversation," the plea agreement said. "Sutton also advised the [agent] that [he] had been engaged in the business of manufacturing and distributing moonshine for many years.
"After this conversation, the [undercover agent] loaded a few gallons of moonshine in the [agent's] vehicle and then was taken to 127 Loftis Road, Parrottsville, by Sutton. While at the Loftis Road location, the UC, Sutton, and an individual identified as "Billy" (later identified as Billy Hux) loaded approximately 80 gallons of moonshine into the [agent's] vehicle."
On Feb. 14, 2008, according to the plea agreement, an agent of the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission, functioning in an undercover capacity (UC), "met Sutton for the purpose of purchasing moonshine in excess of one hundred gallons."
The [agent] met Sutton at 324 Upper Road, Parrottsville, and was taken to 127 Loftis Road, Parrottsville, by Sutton, according to the plea agreement.
"While at the Loftis Road location, the [agent] and Sutton loaded approximately 100 gallons of moonshine into the [agent's] vehicle," the plea agreement said. "During the process of loading the [agent's} vehicle, the [agent] and Sutton were engaged in conversation. During this conversation, Sutton advised the UC that he had moonshine stored in at least one other separate location."
On Feb. 28, 2008, an agent of the Alcoholic Beverage Commission, functioning in an undercover capacity (UC) met Sutton for the purpose of purchasing moonshine in excess of one hundred gallons, according to the plea agreement.
"The UC (undercover agent) met Sutton at 324 Upper Road, Parrottsville, and was immediately taken to 127 Loftis Road, Parrottsville, by Sutton. While at the Loftis Road location, the undercover agent, Sutton, and Billy Hux loaded approximately 100 gallons of moonshine into the undercover agent's vehicle.
"During the process of loading the [agent's] vehicle, the UC, Sutton, and Billy Hux were engaged in conversation. During this conversation, Hux advised the undercover agent that Hux participated in the manufacturing process of the moonshine."
During surveillance, Special Agent Greg Moore observed Sutton leaving the location in his vehicle and traveling to "J.D.'s Market" in Parrottsville, the plea agreement said.
"On March 12, 2008, an agent of the Tennessee Alcohol Beverage Commission, functioning in an undercover capacity (UC), met with Sutton at his residence, 324 Upper Road, Parrottsville, to discuss another delivery of moonshine," the plea agreement said. "While at the residence, the UC observed Sutton to still be in possession of moonshine and firearms. Sutton took [agent] and Billy Hux to the storage building at 127 Loftis Road in Parrottsville, to show the [agent] that he had the 500 gallons there ready for delivery. Some of the moonshine that Sutton showed the UC was being stored in the old school bus next to the storage building."
On the same day, Sutton and Billy Hux took [the agent] to a barn located off Scott Pond Road in Parrottsville, according to the plea agreement.
"From Sutton's residence, they turned left out of Sutton's driveway and went a short distance to the intersection of Upper Road and Scott Pond Road. They turned left onto Scott Pond Road and traveled a short distance to a driveway on the right leading to a barn," the plea agreement said. "Inside the barn were three moonshine stills. The [agent] estimated that the smallest of the stills was 500 gallons and the largest was twice that capacity. Two of the stills were operating and the third still was being prepared for cooking."
A total of 1,100 gallons of moonshine, and sour mash, that would have produced approximately 130 gallons of moonshine were seized or purchased by the Tennessee Alcohol Beverage Commission and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, according to the plea agreement.
"The defendant [Hux] admits to helping Marvin 'Popcorn' Sutton produce this alcohol," the plea agreement said.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 10 Sep 2008.
Sentencing delayed for moonshiner 'Popcorn' Sutton Judge Greer OKs defense motion; Date now Dec. 15
Author: Bill Jones
GREENEVILLE-The sentencing of legendary Cocke County moonshiner Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton has been delayed until Dec. 15.
Sutton had been scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 22 in U.S. District Court in Greeneville, but U.S. District Judge Ronnie Greer on Tuesday granted a defense motion to continue the sentencing to a later date and reset Sutton's sentencing hearing for 1:30 p.m. Dec. 15.
Sutton, 61, of 324 Upper Road, Parrottsville, had waived indictment and pleaded guilty in April to a two-county federal information that charged him with:
¥ possessing a .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol and a .38-caliber revolver; and
¥ producing distilled spirits by distillation from mash and other material.
The motion for a continuance of Sutton's sentencing hearing filed by Assistant Federal Defender Tim S. Moore said Sutton had recently received the probation officer's response to Sutton's objections to the pre-sentence report in his case.
"Sutton needs additional time for investigation and research to determine if further objections are called for to the revised pre-sentence report, to determine if any further response to the revised pre-sentence report is required, and to prepare for sentencing," the motion said.
Sutton was manufacturing hundreds of gallons of moonshine in Cocke County when he was arrested, according to a sentencing memorandum filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Reeves.
In addition, the sentencing memorandum notes, Sutton "was in possession of multiple firearms after having been convicted of numerous felonies."
"What aggravates these circumstances even more is the fact that Sutton was on probation in Tennessee state court for felony possession of untaxed liquor when the present offense was committed," the government's sentencing memo to the court notes. "Sutton had been sentenced to two years of unsupervised probation for the state felony charges. This probation did not stop or even slow Sutton's illegal activities."
Sutton's Background
In 1975, Sutton was convicted of numerous federal charges relating to the manufacturing and possession of an unregistered still, distilling apparatus and untaxed liquor, according to the sentencing memo. "He was given probation," the sentencing memo notes.
In 1980, Sutton was convicted of a felony drug offense and was again given a five-year suspended sentence.
He was sentenced to prison for the first time in 1985 on a conviction for an assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, the government's sentencing memo notes.
"Since that time, he has been arrested on misdemeanor alcohol violations in North Carolina, felony untaxed liquor violations in Tennessee (mentioned above), and four offenses that were dismissed including burglary, larceny, and alcohol-related offenses," the government's sentencing memo states.
Moonshine Videos Cited
The government's sentencing memo notes that federal authorities have downloaded videos on the Internet that Sutton made, including "one on how to manufacture alcohol and one of Sutton bragging about his possession of firearms."
Sutton, according to the government's sentencing memo, "has lived his life without respecting the law by committing violent and controlled substances offenses in addition to his numerous alcohol-related offenses."
"Sutton seems to be proud of his disregard for the law and no sentence thus far has deterred him from his continuing criminal activities," the government sentencing memo states.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 16 Dec 2008.
Sutton sentencing rescheduled for Jan. 26
Author: Bill Jones
GREENEVILLE-The sentencing of legendary Cocke County moonshiner Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton has been delayed until Jan. 26.
Sutton was scheduled to be sentenced on Monday in U.S. District Court in Greeneville, but the case was postponed last month. There were no court documents on record citing a reason for the latest delay.
The sentencing had previously been scheduled Aug. 4, reset for Sept. 4 and scheduled again on Sept. 22. In September, however, U.S. District Judge Ronnie Greer granted a defense motion to continue the sentencing and reset Sutton's sentencing hearing for Dec. 15.
The hearing is now scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, 2009, in Greeneville.
Sutton, 61, of 324 Upper Road, Parrottsville, had waived indictment and pleaded guilty in April to a two-county federal information that charged him with:
¥ possessing a .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol and a .38-caliber revolver; and
¥ producing distilled spirits by distillation from mash and other material.
Sutton was manufacturing hundreds of gallons of moonshine in Cocke County when he was arrested, according to a sentencing memorandum filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Reeves.
In addition, the sentencing memorandum notes, Sutton "was in possession of multiple firearms after having been convicted of numerous felonies."
"What aggravates these circumstances even more is the fact that Sutton was on probation in Tennessee state court for felony possession of untaxed liquor when the present offense was committed," the government's sentencing memo to the court notes. "Sutton had been sentenced to two years of unsupervised probation for the state felony charges. This probation did not stop or even slow Sutton's illegal activities."
Sutton's Background
In 1975, Sutton was convicted of numerous federal charges relating to the manufacturing and possession of an unregistered still, distilling apparatus and untaxed liquor, according to the sentencing memo. "He was given probation," the sentencing memo notes.
In 1980, Sutton was convicted of a felony drug offense and was again given a five-year suspended sentence.
He was sentenced to prison for the first time in 1985 on a conviction for an assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, the government's sentencing memo notes.
"Since that time, he has been arrested on misdemeanor alcohol violations in North Carolina, felony untaxed liquor violations in Tennessee (mentioned above), and four offenses that were dismissed including burglary, larceny, and alcohol-related offenses," the government's sentencing memo states.
Moonshine Videos Cited
The government's sentencing memo notes that federal authorities have downloaded videos on the Internet that Sutton made, including "one on how to manufacture alcohol and one of Sutton bragging about his possession of firearms."
Sutton, according to the government's sentencing memo, "has lived his life without respecting the law by committing violent and controlled substances offenses in addition to his numerous alcohol-related offenses."
"Sutton seems to be proud of his disregard for the law and no sentence thus far has deterred him from his continuing criminal activities," the government sentencing memo states.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 27 Jan 2009.
Popcorn Sutton sentenced to 18 months in federal prison
(c)2009 GREENEVILLE SUN PHOTO BY PHIL GENTRY Moonshiner Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton, at right, leaves U.S. District Court after sentencing with Assistant Federal Defender Tim Moore, at left.
Author: Bill Jones
GREENEVILLE-Legendary Cocke County moonshiner Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton, 62, of 324 Upper Road, Parrottsville, was sentenced in U.S. District Court this afternoon to 18 months in federal prison.
Sutton had waived indictment and pleaded guilty in April 2008 to a two-count federal information that charged him with:
¥ possessing a .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol and a .38-caliber revolver (after having been convicted of numerous felonies); and
¥ producing distilled spirits by distillation from mash and other material.
U.S. District Judge Ronnie Greer, who imposed sentence on Sutton also ordered him to spend three years on supervised federal probation after he completes his prison sentence.
The judge, however, said he would allow Sutton to "self report" to prison when he is notified to do so. Until then, Sutton will remain under house arrest subject to electronic monitoring, the judge said.
The judge, in imposing sentence, said he could not impose a sentence of probation in Sutton's case because Sutton had four prior convictions for which he had received sentences of probation.
Judge Greer also said he was concerned about the "repeat nature" of Sutton's criminal conduct and the fact that he was on probation from Cocke County Circuit Court for manufacturing moonshine at the time he was charged with federal alcohol and firearms violations in March 2008.
The judge also said he had considered imposing a sentence of 24 months in Sutton's case, but decided against it because of Sutton's age and medical condition.
"If 18 months (in prison) doesn't deter you, I don't think 24 months will either," the judge said of his decision to impose a sentence at the bottom of the federal advisory sentencing guideline range.
In comments to the court, Sutton had said he was now too frail to continue making moonshine.
But the judge said he had seen nothing in medical records submitted to the court that indicated Sutton was "on the verge of death" or suffered from medical conditions that could not be successfully treated in federal prison medical facilities.
The judge said he had taken notice of dozens of petitions signed by residents of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina that had called for the court to show leniency in sentencing Sutton.
But the judge said he believed that if many of those who signed the petitions were asked if placing a man convicted five times on probation again would serve their interest, most would say "no."
Gregory Moore, an agent with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, testified on Monday that Sutton had been found last year to have been operating three moonshine-making stills in the Parrottsville area and had sold more than 200 gallons of untaxed whiskey to an undercover agent.
Agent Moore also testified that Sutton had shown the undercover agent two firearms that he had at his residence even though he was prohibited from possessing firearms because of previous felony convictions.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Reeves also played for the court videos featuring Sutton that showed him surrounded by firearms and demonstrating how to make moonshine whiskey.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 18 Mar 2009.
...
Landry spoke briefly of the late "Popcorn" Sutton, whom he met at the 1982 World's Fair Park. Jokingly, Landry said that within the past year, he had to fill the bill for a story telling performance at a Blount County retreat where Sutton was scheduled to be one of the featured guest speakers. "The Blackberry Farm (an Orvis-Endorsed fly fishing resort in Walland) called and said, 'we had Popcorn Sutton booked, but he got arrested yesterday."
The 'Heartland' host said that whenever reporters from Los Angeles or other metropolitan locales call to get information about East Tennessee, the subject of corn squeezin's always comes up. "All they know about Cocke County is that somebody around here, at one time, made liquor," said Landry. He noted, "It's interesting the bias (the area) has still." According to Landry, "Liquor is a very prideful, important part of our heritage."
...
Heartland Series host Bill Landry visits Kiwanis Club Reflects on 25-years of friends, cold weather and teaching stint
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 19 Mar 2009.
Widow: Moonshiner took his life to avoid prison
KNOXVILLE (AP)-Famed Appalachian moonshiner Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton, whose incorrigible bootlegging ways were as out of step with modern times as his hillbilly beard and overalls, took his own life rather than go to prison for making white lightning, his widow says.
"He couldn't go to prison. His mind would just not accept it. ...So credit the federal government for my husband being dead, I really do," Pam Sutton told The Associated Press in an interview Wednesday from the couple's home in the Parrottsville community, about 50 miles east of Knoxville.
A few hours earlier she had buried Sutton, 62, in a private ceremony in the mountains around Haywood County, N.C., where he grew up. He went to his grave in a pine casket he bought years ago and kept in a bedroom.
Sutton-nicknamed "Popcorn" for smashing up a 10-cent popcorn machine in a bar with a pool cue in his 20s-looked like a living caricature of a mountain moonshiner. He wore a long gray beard, faded overalls, checkered shirt and feathered fedora. He made his home in Cocke County, where cockfighting and moonshining are legend.
He wrote a paperback called "Me and My Likker" and recorded videos on how to make moonshine. The History Channel featured him in a 2007 documentary called "Hillbilly: The Real Story."
"You might say he embodied a kind of Appalachian archetype, a character trait of fearlessness and fierce loyalty to regional identity even in the face of personal persecution and stereotyping," said Ted Olson, a regional writer and faculty member in East Tennessee State University's Department of Appalachian Studies.
Sutton conceded he was part of a dying breed in an interview last year with actor Johnny Knoxville for a video posted on Knoxville's "Jackass" Web site.
"All the rest of them that I know are dead," Sutton said in the profane, not-for-primetime clip. "I just hope and pray they don't send me off (to prison)."
Sutton's widow said he'd just gotten a letter to report Friday to a medium-security federal prison in south Georgia to begin an 18-month sentence for illegally producing distilled spirits and being a felon in possession of a gun. He had pleaded guilty last April.
On Monday, she came home from running errands and found him dead in his old Ford. Authorities suspect carbon monoxide poisoning. Autopsy results may be weeks away.
Pam Sutton, who became Sutton's fourth wife in 2007, said carbon monoxide may be the method but that's not what killed him.
"He tried every way in the world to get them (federal authorities) to leave him on house arrest," she said.
"He was a true moonshiner," his widow added. "He would tell you exactly what he thought, whether you wanted to hear it or not. But he was also the sweetest, kindest, most loving man I ever met in my life."
John Rice Irwin, founder of the Museum of Appalachia in Norris, Tenn., recalled that Sutton made a still for the museum in the 1990s.
Irwin told Sutton to run nothing but water through it. But with thousands of people, including then-Gov. Don Sundquist, visiting for an annual homecoming event, Sutton decided to cook up some real sour mash and dispense it to the crowd in little paper cups.
"Popcorn is getting everybody drunk," the governor's Highway Patrol escorts complained and when Irwin told him to stop, Sutton packed up and left, Irwin recalled.
"I think most people have a warm feeling for him, but he bragged so much about it (moonshining)," Irwin said. "And then he got into it in such a big way. He wasn't just a poor old moonshiner trying to make a few dollars."
Sutton's last arrest followed a raid in which authorities found nearly 1,700 gallons of moonshine in Parrottsville and a storage unit in Maggie Valley, N.C., three stills, supplies, firearms and ammunition.
When he pleaded guilty, it was his fifth conviction. He'd gotten probation before, but U.S. District Judge Ronnie Greer said he couldn't do that again, despite Sutton's age and physical infirmities.
His estranged daughter Sky Sutton, 35, of Northampton, Mass., had just completed a book about him, titled "Daddy Moonshine," the day he died. "It was beyond surreal," she said Wednesday. She hadn't seen him since she was 2, though they had talked on the phone.
She has no doubt Sutton died on his own terms. "Of course he did. That man went out in a blaze of glory, and flipping his finger as we went," she said.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 14 Dec 2010.
Widow, daughter in legal battle over Marvin 'Popcorn' Sutton book "Me and My Likker"
KNOXVILLE-A legal battle over Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton's book "Me and My Likker" has moved from Alaska to U.S. District Court in Knoxville.
Regina Sutton Chennault, daughter of "Popcorn" Sutton, had filed the lawsuit again Pamela Sutton, "Popcorn" Sutton's widow, last August in U.S. District Court in Anchorage, Alaska.
In her lawsuit, Chennault claims in 1999, Ernestine Upchurch, in cooperation with Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton, wrote the book "Me and My Likker."
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 2 May 2013.
Popcorn Sutton's legacy to live on in Cocke County with new distillery
(c)2013 NPT PHOTOS BY KATIE PITTSER
Several workers spent the day Thursday moving equipment into the new facility that will house the Popcorn Sutton Distillery. The piece of equipment pictured is a 5,000-gallon mash cooker, which will be plumbed and wired to several 10,000-gallon fermenters, several copper condensers, and three pot stills.
Author: Katie Pittser
NEWPORT-Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton's legacy can now continue to thrive in Cocke County with the opening of Popcorn Sutton Distilling, located on Highway 25/70 West in Newport.
Thursday was "move-in day" for the distillery, according to Jamey Grosser, Master Distiller and a partner with Pam Sutton, Popcorn's wife, and country music singer Hank Williams, Jr.
"This distillery actually started in Nashville, but we have worked for a year to get it back to Cocke County where it belongs," said Grosser. "I was fortunate enough to form a close friendship with Popcorn year ago. He, for whatever reason, took me in as an apprentice and showed me his way of making moonshine. He gave me his recipe and taught me the art of distilling white whiskey."
Grosser said that he and Sutton formed the partnership for this company before his untimely death in 2009. According to Grosser, the fermenters, the pots, and everything needed to distill whiskey were designed by Sutton.
"He designed everything," said Grosser. "We laid all of this out during the same time he was facing federal charges. We are now making his dream a reality."
- [S116] Birth Certificate.
Name: Marvin Sutton
Event: Birth
Event Date: 05 Oct 1946
Event Place: Haywood, North Carolina
Other Birth Location: Waynesville
Gender: Male
Race: White
Father: Vader Sutton
Mother: Bonnie Cagle
Page: 831
Volume: 33
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 19 Sep 2009.
Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton, 62, of Parrottsville, passed away March 16, 2009.
He was preceded in death by his parents Vader Sutton and Bonnie Cagle Sutton.
He is survived by his wife Pam Sutton of the home and a host of family and friends.
There will be a memorial service at Resthaven Memorial Gardens on ___________. Following the memorial service, the family will be led in procession to the Sutton home in Parrottsville for a private reception.
On-line condolences may be sent to cstnrmly@charterinternet.com.
Arrangements by Costner-Maloy.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 17 Mar 2009.
Moonshiner Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton found dead
PARROTTSVILLE-Legendary Cocke County moonshiner Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton, 62, of 324 Upper Road, Parrottsville, was found dead at his home Monday afternoon.
Sutton's body was reportedly discovered by his wife, Pam, around 3:37 p.m. She told investigators she had been in town running errands.
"He was in one of his vehicles (a Ford Fairmont) on the far side of his house, still on his property," said Detective Bryan Murr of the Cocke County Sheriff's Office. "It appeared to be carbon monoxide poisoning."
Murr added, "foul play is not suspected."
An autopsy is reportedly scheduled today at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville.
Sentenced in January
In January, Sutton had been sentenced in U.S. District Court to 18 months in federal prison after waiving indictment and entering a guilty plea in April 2008 to a two-count federal indictment that charged him with possession of a .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol and a .38-caliber revolver (after having been convicted of numerous felonies) and producing distilled spirits by distillation from mash and other material.
U.S. District Judge Ronnie Greer, who imposed sentence on Sutton, also ordered him to spend three years on supervised federal probation after he completed his prison sentence.
The judge was going to allow Sutton to "self report" to prison and remain under house arrest subject to electronic monitoring.
Sutton reportedly received notification to report to prison this week.
The judge, in imposing sentence, said he could not impose a sentence of probation in Sutton's case because Sutton had four prior convictions for which he had received sentences of probation.
Judge Greer also said he was concerned about the "repeat nature" of Sutton's criminal conduct and the fact that he was on probation from Cocke County Circuit Court for manufacturing moonshine at the time he was charged with federal alcohol and firearms violations in March 2008.
The judge also said he had considered imposing a sentence of 24 months in Sutton's case, but decided against it because of Sutton's age and medical condition.
"If 18 months (in prison) doesn't deter you, I don't think 24 months will either," the judge said of his decision to impose a sentence at the bottom of the federal advisory sentencing guideline range.
The judge said he had taken notice of dozens of petitions signed by residents of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina that had called for the court to show leniency in sentencing Sutton.
But the judge said he believed that if many of those who signed the petitions were asked if placing a man convicted five times on probation again would serve their interest, most would say "no."
Gregory Moore, an agent with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, testified that Sutton had been found last year to have been operating three moonshine-making stills in the Parrottsville area and had sold more than 200 gallons of untaxed whiskey to an undercover agent.
Agent Moore also testified that Sutton had shown the undercover agent two firearms that he had at his residence even though he was prohibited from possessing firearms because of previous felony convictions.
Sutton's Background
Sutton is well known by many for his years of moonshine production, and, according to several Web sites, is the author of a self-published book about making moonshine titled "Me and My Likker."
In 1974, according to court documents, he was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and later charged for multiple violations of the Internal Revenue Laws pertaining to liquor.
He was convicted and sentenced in 1975.
In 1981, Sutton was convicted and sentenced in the Haywood County Superior Court in North Carolina for felony possession of a controlled substance and received a five-year sentence.
In 1985, Sutton was convicted and sentenced in the Haywood County Superior Court in North Carolina for felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. Sutton received a three-year sentence.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 19 Sep 2009.
Memorial service slated for 'Popcorn' Sutton
Author: Duay O'Neil
Internationally known moonshine legend Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton will be memorialized-again-in early October, this time in a public service set to begin at Resthaven Memorial Gardens and which will end at his Parrottsville home.
Plans call for a public memorial service to be held in the chapel of Resthaven Memorial Garden's mausoleum after which a horse-drawn hearse will lead the processional to his home.
Attendance at the service of closure and reception at the Sutton home will be by invitation only.
Initially the service was scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 4, one day prior to his birthday and the day before the showing of the film "The Last One" by Keep Cocke County Beautiful, a documentary film about Sutton. However, scheduling conflicts with out-of-town friends wishing to attend the service reportedly prompted a change to Saturday, Oct. 24.
Among the celebrities expected to attend the service is country music star Hank Williams, Jr., Sutton's personal friend. Several other country music performers have plans to be here, also.
Sutton, 62, died last March 16 shortly before he was to report to federal prison after sentenced in U. S. District Court in January to 18 months after waiving indictment and entering a guilty plea in April 2008 to a two-count federal indictment that charged him with possession of a .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol and a .38-caliber revolver (after having been convicted of numerous felonies) and producing distilled spirits by distillation from mash and other material.
U. S. District Judge Ronnie Greer imposed the sentence, ordering Sutton to spend three years on supervised federal probation after he completed his prison sentence.
The judge was going to allow Sutton to "self report" to prison and remain under house arrest subject to electronic monitoring.
Sutton's body was discovered by his wife Pam after she returned to their Parrottsville home. At the time, Detective Bryan Murr of the Cocke County Sheriff's Office said, "He was in one of his vehicles (a Ford Fairmont) on the far side of his house, still on his property. It appeared to be carbon monoxide poisoning."
Sutton was quickly buried in a small family cemetery in Mt. Sterling, North Carolina, his birthplace, in an early morning private interment. At his request, he was buried in a simple wooden coffin.
Sutton's rise to iconic status came after a lifetime in the moonshine business and numerous run-ins with the law.
In 1974, according to court documents, he was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and later charged with multiple violations of the Internal Revenue Laws pertaining to liquor. He was convicted and sentenced in 1975.
More charges and prison time came in 1981, when he was found guilty of felony possession of a controlled substance in Haywood County (North Carolina) Superior Court and sentenced to five years in prison and in 1985, when he was again found guilty in the North Carolina court for felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. That time he received a three-year sentence.
In his later years, he authored a self-published book about making moonshine titled "Me and My Likker." He also appeared in the television documentary "Hillbilly," narrated by Billy Ray Cyrus and shared stories about making moonshine at the 2008 Old Timey Night in Newport.
Costner-Maloy is handling the arrangements for the memorial service and burial.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 24 Sep 2009.
Sutton's wife speaks about memorial service
Author: Duay O'Neil
PARROTTSVILLE-In a telephone interview Tuesday afternoon, Pam Sutton, widow of Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton, provided additional information and clarification about a memorial service planned for him on Saturday, Oct. 24.
Sutton, who achieved international fame as a moonshiner, died last March 16 at his Parrottsville home shortly before he was to report to federal prison.
Initially Sutton was buried in a family cemetery in Mt. Sterling, N. C., in a very private ceremony.
Now that seven months have passed, a public memorial service in Sutton's memory is planned at Resthaven Memorial Gardens.
"This service will be open to the public," said his widow Tuesday, "and will give people to opportunity to have a sense of closure."
She also emphasized that reports that Hank Williams Jr. will attend the service are "rumors." "Popcorn and he did not know one another," she said.
A reception at the Sutton home following the memorial service will be private.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 24 Oct 2009.
Popcorn Sutton memorial service
(c) 2009 NPT Photo by Duay O'Neil
Country music star Hank "Bocephus" Williams, Jr. joined approximately 200 family and friends of the late Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton on Saturday for a memorial service for the legendary moonshiner in the chapel at Resthaven Memorial Gardens. Sutton's body was later taken for reburial at his Parrottsville home.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 27 Oct 2009.
Popcorn Sutton eulogized and reburied
(c) 2009 NPT Photo by Duay O'Neil
Bonnie and Connie, a matched pair of black Percheons, pulled a century-old hearse bearing the body of Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton through Parrottsville late Saturday afternoon for reburial near the Sutton home. Tom Gilliland, left, owner of the horses and Costner-Maloy Funeral Home owner Donnie Costner rode on the hearse.
Author: Duay O'Neil
NEWPORT & PARROTTSVILLE-Legendary moonshiner Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton would have loved all the attention he received Saturday when several hundred family members, friends, and curiosity seekers gathered at Resthaven Memorial Gardens for a public memorial service before his body was taken to his Parrottsville home for a private reburial.
"He would have said he didn't like it," said close friend Mark Ramsey, who delivered Sutton's eulogy, "but he would have loved this memorial."
Sutton died last March, taking his own life shortly before he was to report to federal prison after being convicted on moonshining charges.
At that time, he was buried in a tiny family cemetery in Mt. Sterling, N.C., with his parents. At his request, that burial was held early in the morning with few people in attendance.
However, several weeks ago, his body was exhumed in order to be reburied in a newly-established cemetery in Parrottsville.
According to his widow Pam, her decision to have Sutton's body moved to Tennessee came after the North Carolina burial site had been vandalized. "If they had just left him alone, none of this would have happened," she said.
First to speak at Saturday's service was Judge Ben Hooper II, whose friendship with Sutton stretched back more than 40 years.
"He was truly one of the most unique people I have ever known," said Hooper. "Ours was a genuine friendship which began over 40 years ago when I was beginning my career as an attorney."
"Like me, he was somewhat imperfect," said Hooper. "Over the years I handled a federal case for him, a divorce or two, and I was a sounding board for him for a long, long time. Never once did he ask me to do anything imperfect."
Hooper recalled his 1974 race for the Tennessee State Senate. "He was one of my biggest supporters," said Hooper. "I still remember his Jeep plastered with my campaign posters."
During this time, Hooper continued, Sutton went to his still to run off some liquor. "Revenue officers had been watching it every day," laughed Hooper, "and saw him arrive. They could hear him talking to someone but could never determine who the other person was."
According to Hooper, when the officers moved closer, they realized that Sutton was talking to himself while he worked. "When they identified themselves as federal agents," said Hooper, "Popcorn replied, 'The hell you are!' and continued working. Judge Nease gave him five years probation and a $2,800 fine. Popcorn went back the next day and started working again."
Hooper described Sutton as a man who was "always welcome at our house. He always came bearing gifts."
"When he was allowed to set up a still in Pigeon Forge and then at John Rice Irwin's Museum of Appalachia, he was then exposed to literally thousands of people," continued Hooper. A lot of important people became acquainted with Popcorn."
Hooper praised Sutton's contributions to society, mentioning his donation of two quarts of "his product to a charitable organization which auctioned them off for $750 apiece."
"When I was elected as judge," said Hooper, "I was required to uphold the law. That did not change our relationship."
- [S4] Knoxville News-Sentinel (Tennessee), 13 Dec 2010.
'Likker' tales in legal battle: Moonshiner Popcorn Sutton's widow, daughter split over rights to book
By Jamie Satterfield
The widow and daughter of a famed Cocke County moonshiner who killed himself rather than go back to prison are locked in a legal battle over the rights to his autobiographical book.
Regina Sutton Chennault, daughter of the late Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton, has filed a federal lawsuit against Pamela Sutton, who married the moonshiner in 2007. Both women claim to have inherited the rights to Popcorn Sutton's self-published book, "Me and My Likker."
The book, first published in 1999 and re-issued after his March 2009 suicide, has been a hot seller since his death, according to court records first filed in Alaska and since transferred to U.S. District Court in Knoxville.
Popcorn Sutton's illegal hooch has long been the stuff of legend, drawing such famous fans as country music star Hank Williams Jr. But it also drew the attention of law enforcement. Every decade of his 40-year career as a moonshiner, Popcorn Sutton got busted and sent to prison. He was facing yet another federal prison term when, at the age of 61, he killed himself.
Since his death, Popcorn Sutton has achieved even greater fame. Thanks to a partnership with his widow, Williams recently announced he'd be making and selling a legal version of Popcorn Sutton's famed spirits. And widow Pamela Sutton has been racking up $50 a pop for copies of the "Me and My Likker" book that details the history of moonshining in Appalachia and Popcorn Sutton's life as a moonshiner.
But daughter Regina Chennault, who lives in Alaska, contends Pamela Sutton is a gold digger with no legal rights to the book. According to her complaint, Popcorn Sutton wrote the book with help from author Ernestine Upchurch with whom he lived in Maggie Valley, N.C., in the 1990s. Upchurch assigned her copyright to Regina Chennault when Popcorn Sutton died, she alleged.
The book had been out of print. After Popcorn Sutton's death, however, his widow began peddling an updated version.
"In 2008, Marvin Sutton completed a revised edition of 'Me and My Likker' with many additional photos and stories," Pamela Sutton wrote in an affidavit.
The widow contends Upchurch is not mentioned in either the original or revised edition as a co-author. She also insists that neither Upchurch, who is not a party to the lawsuit, nor Sutton's daughter inherited rights to the book.
"I am the holder of the copyrights for both the original and revised authored by my husband Marvin Sutton by inheritance," she wrote.
Jamie Satterfield may be reached at 865-342-6308. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/jamiescoop.
- [S142] Newspaper Article, The New York Times, 20 Feb 2012.
Yesterday’s Moonshiner, Today’s Microdistiller
By CAMPBELL ROBERTSON
PARROTTSVILLE, Tenn. — This is a story about a man named Marvin Sutton and how he proved that the road from criminality to commodity is sometimes shorter than it looks.
Until his death in 2009 at the age of 62, Mr. Sutton, known as Popcorn, was a moonshiner. He was not quite the last, as he often claimed, but he was probably the most famous ever to work out of Cocke County, which long had a claim as the nation’s moonshining capital.
It may yet again. As of last Thursday, microdistilleries are legal in Cocke County for the first time. And at the head of the line is a distillery making Mr. Sutton’s recipe.
Nestled in the rocky embrace of the Great Smoky Mountains, Cocke County was a moonshine center for as long as anyone here can recall.
For most families, in a rugged place with few opportunities, it was a matter of survival. But for an enterprising few, making and hauling untaxed and unregulated liquor became a profitable, dangerous and inevitably romanticized trade.
Making moonshine later began to give way to growing marijuana, and by the 1960s the county was notorious for chop shops, cockfighting rings, prostitution and corrupt officials. Over the decades, the lawless elements have been corralled for the most part. But the bad old image of Cocke County lingers. And irks.
“They’re having to live down now that reputation they got some time ago,” said Al Schmutzer Jr., who for 32 years was the district attorney here.
Thus the complicated legacy of Popcorn Sutton.
A North Carolinian by birth, Mr. Sutton learned to distill in Cocke County, where he was known as an affable rogue and a maker of potent but fine-tasting corn whiskey. He lived in a cluttered cabin on a wooded hill where he also built his stills, gave pistols to the incoming sheriffs and fathered so many children that no one has any idea of the exact accounting.
But perhaps his greatest gift, and his most notable departure from the standard moonshining model, was in the field of marketing.
“He’s very atypical,” said Duay O’Neil, who writes a weekly column in The Newport Plain Talk about the county’s history. “He gave the world what they expected of a moonshiner. He dressed the part and he talked the talk.” Mr. Sutton’s beard and profanity were equally effusive.
“And he made a good product,” Mr. O’Neil added, “which I can say from experience.”
In 1999, Mr. Sutton published “Me and My Likker,” a rambling, obscene and often hilarious account of his life in the trade. Soon after, he was featured in a documentary “This is the Last Dam Run of Likker I’ll Ever Make” (later recut as “The Last One”), which he sold out of a North Carolina junk shop. It became a cult hit, leading to newspaper features, occasional meetings with celebrities and a high-profile role in a 2007 History Channel documentary.
At one point, Mr. Sutton even made business cards.
“I told him, ‘Old man, you can’t be a movie star and make liquor too,’ ” said Mark Ramsey, a close friend. “He said, ‘You can’t sell it if nobody knows you got it.’ I don’t know whether he had a point or not.”
In March 2008, Mr. Sutton, who had had run-ins with the law about once a decade, was arrested by federal authorities after offering to sell nearly 1,000 gallons of moonshine to an undercover agent. Despite a guilty plea, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison by a federal judge plainly displeased with Mr. Sutton’s fondness for publicity. It came as a shock, said his friends, to whom he had sworn he would not go to prison.
While under house arrest, Mr. Sutton befriended a 29-year-old former motocross racer named Jamey Grosser, who came to Tennessee with plans to set up a legal distillery. Mr. Sutton sold Mr. Grosser the recipe for his whiskey and they worked out a partnership deal.
Then, on the morning of March 16, 2009, four days before Mr. Sutton was to report to prison, he climbed into the green Ford Fairlane parked in his yard and, having rigged a pipe from the tailpipe through the back seat, killed himself.
The Popcorn Sutton industry was far from finished.
The Discovery Channel made him a principal figure in a series about moonshiners. One of Mr. Sutton’s daughters, a surgeon in Alaska, has sued his widow over the rights to his book. Another daughter wrote her own book, “Daddy Moonshine.”
Pam Sutton, whom he married in 2007, has made Popcorn Sutton T-shirts, key chains and ladies’ undergarments. “He would like the attention but he would swear he didn’t,” she said, adding that strangers frequently show up at the house wanting tours.
A few months after Mr. Sutton’s death, a state law allowing microdistilleries was passed. Mr. Grosser, who now had a new partner in Hank Williams Jr., set up a distillery in Nashville, which as of last fall began producing 800 cases of Popcorn Sutton’s Tennessee White Whiskey a month.
Mr. Grosser has long planned to open a distillery in Cocke County, possibly with a museum attached. He discussed it with county officials, who had come to see Mr. Sutton’s legacy, in a rather amusing twist, as a potentially rich source of tax revenue in a county that has its economic struggles.
But Cocke County was among several counties that remained exceptions to the microdistillery law. The county board held a vote on whether to opt in, and the members unanimously voted no.
Norman Smith, who is on the board, said he objected to alcohol on moral grounds, but also feared that this would only reinforce stubborn and unfair stereotypes. “Our school system’s winning national awards,” he said. “And you’ve got an image of: ‘They can make moonshine. That’s all they can do.’ ”
Proponents made a simple counterargument. “We’ve had such a bad reputation for so long,” said Mr. Ramsey, “why not turn it around and make some money off it?”
When the board took a new vote last October, most members voted to opt in, prompting the legislature to include Cocke County in the microdistiller law. After all these years, Mr. Sutton’s whiskey is now legitimate here, from production to consumption.
This would be to Mr. Sutton’s liking, Mr. Ramsey said, as he wanted to leave his widow comfortable. But Mr. Ramsey also suspects that Mr. Sutton would himself probably have kept doing it the old way. His final message to the public seems to bear that out. On the footstone of his grave, there is only a four-word phrase. “Popcorn Said — ” it begins, and the rest is unfit to print.
- [S1] U. S. Social Security Death Index, 241-74-7012.
Issued in North Carolina, residing in Parrottsville, Cocke County, Tennessee
- [S87] Death Certificate.
Name Date of Death / Age County of Death County / State of Residence Marital Status Gender Race File #
SUTTON MARVIN 03-16-2009 / 62 COCKE COCKE / TN MARRIED M WHITE 12950
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
Groom's Name Bride's First Name Bride's Maiden Name County Date of Marriage File #
SUTTON MARVIN PAMELA MANNING COCKE 05-13-2007 17491
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