Maryville couple arraigned on aggravated rape charges

Mariah Franklin thedailytimes.com


 

A Maryville couple accused of raping a teenager faced their first court dates Wednesday, Aug. 21.

Cayla Hopkins Drinnen, 31, and David “Dewayne” Drinnen, a former Loudon County Sheriff’s deputy and Blount County Commission candidate, made brief, back-to-back appearances in front of Blount County General Sessions Court Judge Robert Headrick.

Headrick, during their appearances, appointed attorneys to represent them as their cases move forward.
The couple are accused of drugging and raping a 14-year-old girl they “knew or had reason to know was mentally incapacitated or physically helpless,” according to official complaints.
 

Blount County Sheriff’s deputies arrested and charged the couple with aggravated rape around 8 a.m. Aug. 13. Hopkins Drinnen is also accused of trying to pay a different 14 year-old to “perform indecent acts” with Dewayne Drinnen, 60.

The couple have been held at the Blount County jail since their arrests. In addition to the aggravated rape allegation, Hopkins Drinnen faces felony charges including solicitation of a minor, trafficking for a commercial sex act and aggravated child abuse. The Blount County jail’s inmate roster showed that she remained in custody in lieu of bonds totaling $800,000, as of press time Wednesday.

Her husband, who faces additional contempt of court charges, likewise remained in jail Wednesday in place of bonds totaling $250,000.

Arraignment

Though the hearings lasted under 10 minutes, Hopkins Drinnen’s reply to an order not to communicate with a witness and child victims prompted Headrick to raise his voice and repeat himself.

Headrick told her that if she tried to talk with a complaining witness or any child victim, he would revoke any jail privileges she possessed. Then he asked her if she understood him. She replied in a low voice with a sentence that began with the word “but.”

Headrick spoke over her, asking again, in a louder voice: “Do you understand what I just explained to you, Miss Hopkins?”

She did, she acknowledged. She mumbled and rubbed her face as she was led back to her cell.

Past charges

Hopkins Drinnen has previously been charged with offenses including manufacturing Schedule I drugs and shoplifting.

A former law enforcement officer, Dewayne Drinnen has previously been charged with offenses including theft, burglary and vandalism. He moved slowly on his way into the courtroom Wednesday.
He spent 17 years with the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office but resigned after he was accused of stealing electricity. He later owned Walland Market and Deli and ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the Blount County Board of Commissioners, losing to current Commissioner Mike Akard.