Nashville’s ‘Top 10 Most Wanted’ fugitives: ‘Theater school’ owner accused of sexually abusing child added to list
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A man who reportedly operated his own theater school is among this week’s list of “Most Wanted” fugitives after being accused of sexually abusing a child.
The Metro Nashville Police Department’s list of “Top 10 Most Wanted” fugitives is updated every Wednesday on the Criminal Warrants Division’s Facebook page. Officials said those featured on the list are often considered to be some of the “most violent” offenders in the city.
Reported rape cases on the rise in Nashville; other violent offenses decreasing
Of the suspects on this week’s list, more than half are wanted for either homicide or charges related to alleged sex crimes. The rest of Nashville’s “Most Wanted” suspects are accused of crimes such as child abuse, burglary and aggravated assault.
The newest addition to the list, 60-year-old Gary Schleimer, is accused of aggravated sexual battery involving a victim under 13. Records from the Better Business Bureau show Schleimer opened his own theater school in Nolensville in 2011, teaching students ages 6 to 60.
He was also employed by Metro Nashville Public Schools for nearly six years before being terminated at the end of the 2021-2022 school year. Officials said a parent informed the school of a possible incident of sexual abuse after he was no longer employed.
While the search for Schleimer and the nine other suspects on the list continues, the “Most Wanted” list has aided police in several arrests. In total, at least 97 “Most Wanted” fugitives have been taken into custody since the program was launched in October 2022.
MNPD arrest ‘Most Wanted’ suspect on several outstanding warrants, recover 2 guns
At least 15 of those arrests have been within the last few months. Police caught 24-year-old Aury Newsom, who was wanted on 13 outstanding warrants, just last week — ending a manhunt that began over a year ago.
According to authorities, several of Newsom’s charges are in connection with multiple domestic violence incidents dating back to 2022, including one in which he allegedly shot his girlfriend while she was holding their infant.
Investigators said tips from the public have been vital in several “Most Wanted” arrests. Below is a list of the suspects who made the police department’s “Top 10 Most Wanted” list the week of April 10.
1. Lagarrion L. Blacksmith
At number one, Lagarrion Blacksmith, 35, is considered this week’s “Top Most Wanted” fugitive, according to the MNPD. Blacksmith has remained at the top of the list for several months as police continue to try to track him down.
He was initially added to the “Most Wanted” list on Nov. 29, 2023, after investigators said they were able to connect him to a deadly shooting that took place outside a Dickerson Pike bar last year.
Officers found 35-year-old Chancellor Eddins lying on the ground just outside of Trvth Lounge on Feb. 18, 2023. He had been shot and later died at the scene. Another man who had also been hit by the gunfire was able to give officers an account of what happened.
RELATED: Man wanted for homicide, other charges following fatal February shooting on Dickerson Pike
According to police, the injured man told them he and Eddins had gotten into an argument with the suspect inside of the bar. Then, shots were fired as they left the location. At the time, the identity of the alleged shooter was unclear.
Months later, investigators announced Blacksmith had been identified as a suspect. On Nov. 22, 2023, officials said arrest warrants had been issued against Blacksmith for criminal homicide, attempted homicide, and felon in possession of a handgun.
However, efforts to locate him have reportedly been unsuccessful. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the MNPD at 615-862-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.
2. Raceme Crutcher
Police have been looking for Raceme Crutcher, 22, since July 2023, when he was named as one of two suspects in a deadly Fourth of July shooting.
Officials said the shooting happened at the Fallbrook Apartments on Dellway Villa Road. Etabo Malanda, 16, was reportedly standing on the porch of an apartment when two armed individuals came from around the corner and confronted him.
RELATED: Teen killed in shooting at East Nashville apartment complex
Malanda allegedly tried to pull out a pistol that was inside his hoodie, but he was shot. Police said he died shortly after he was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
According to investigators, four guns were recovered from the apartment, including one that was reported stolen. Crutcher and 17-year-old Jaylin Brown were reportedly connected to the crime through witness accounts.
Investigators also obtained surveillance footage and additional information from community members that they said pointed to Crutcher and Brown as suspects in the case. Officials believe the motive may have been an ongoing dispute between the suspects and Malanda.
SEE ALSO: Teen wanted in connection with deadly Fourth of July shooting arrested
Brown was taken into custody on Aug. 31, 2023, after police reportedly caught him driving a stolen car. However, authorities said Crutcher is still on the run. He was added to the “Most Wanted” list on Nov. 15, 2023. His last location is unknown.
3. Kejuan Jordan-Cole
Kejuan Jordan-Cole, 22, is believed to be one of seven suspects involved in another deadly shooting on the Fourth of July, according to officials.
RELATED: Man dead after 7 people reportedly shot at him on Buena Vista Pike
Investigators said the victim, 27-year-old Christopher L. Harris, was found with multiple gunshot wounds inside his vehicle on Buena Vista Pike. Witnesses told police a group of young men approached Harris and around seven of them opened fire.
Harris was reportedly struck by the gunfire while standing next to his vehicle. Officers told News 2 as many as 100 rounds may have been fired during the incident.
The suspects — one of whom appeared to be shooting a rifle — left the scene in three separate vehicles, officials reported. Since the shooting, authorities have arrested and charged 16-year-old Jaden Wright, 17-year-old Erion Nesbitt, 16-year-old Kentrell Baugh and 23-year-old Deandre Jordan.
SEE ALSO: Metro police arrest 4th of 7 suspects from deadly July 4 shooting in Bordeaux
However, police said Jordan-Cole, who was identified as a suspect on Aug. 16, 2023, is still on the run. The charges against him include criminal homicide and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
He was added to the list on Dec. 13, 2023. Officials said his last location is unknown.
4. Michael A. Yarlett
Michael Yarlett, 28, is wanted on three counts of aided and abetted rape, according to police.
Court documents indicate he is one of two suspects in the incident, which happened in September 2022. Yarlett was added to the “Most Wanted” list on Nov. 22, 2023. Officials said his last location is unknown.
5. Ladonte J. Groves
Ladonte Groves, 23, was added back to the list this week after first being featured among Nashville’s “Most Wanted” on Aug. 16, 2023. Police said Groves has since been indicted by a grand jury on multiple charges related to alleged sex crimes.
The charges against him include two counts of rape, two counts of sexual battery and one count of domestic assault. Authorities said Groves was last seen in the East Nashville area. However, efforts to locate him have been unsuccessful.
6. Cameron J. Glenn
While he was added to the list in February, this isn’t the first time Cameron Glenn, 42, has appeared among Nashville’s “Most Wanted” fugitives. Glenn was initially added to the list in November 2022 following several alleged domestic violence incidents involving the same victim.
Glenn was accused of strangling and beating the woman on three separate occasions, causing visible injuries to her face, including redness, abrasions and a missing tooth. In one incident, authorities said Glenn pulled out a gun and threatened to kill her if she didn’t do what he said.
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Glenn was on the run until May 1, 2023, when officers found him at an apartment in the James Cayce neighborhood. After his arrest, Glenn was being held on a $60,000 bond. However, court records show many of the charges Glenn was initially arrested for have since been dismissed.
Now, police are looking for Glenn again following a grand jury indictment. The charges he’s been indicted on include aggravated assault with serious bodily injury, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault by strangulation, child abuse, domestic assault and interference with an emergency call.
Authorities said his last location is unknown.
7. Gary A. Schleimer
Gary Schleimer, 60, is a new addition to the list this week. According to authorities, Schleimer was recently indicted by a grand jury on one count of aggravated sexual battery involving a victim under 13.
Records from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) show Schleimer began operating a theater school called Drama Time out of a home on Oak Creek Drive in Nolensville in 2011. The company reportedly provided actor training for students anywhere between 6 to 60 years old.
While it’s unclear if the business is still in operation, a spokesperson for Metro Nashville Public Schools confirmed Schleimer was also employed by the school district for some time.
CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee
Schleimer was an employee at John Overton High School from the 2016-2017 school year through the 2018-2019 school year. He then worked for H.G. Hill Middle School before being terminated at the end of the 2021-2022 school year.
Officials said he has not been involved with either school since that time. After he was no longer employed in September 2022, a child reportedly confided in a parent about an incident that had occurred, and the parent notified the school.
Schleimer is accused of grabbing the girl’s chest from behind. The school district said the allegations were immediately reported to the State Board of Education, police and DCS for further investigation.
However, Metro Nashville police have not yet been able to locate Schleimer. He was reportedly last seen in Williamson County.
8. Jennifer Urbina
Jennifer Urbina, 42, was added to the list last week. Police said Urbina is wanted for three counts of child abuse involving a child 8 years old or younger, as well as one count of aggravated child neglect involving a child 8 years old or younger. She was last seen in Madison.
9. Ricky C. Roach
Ricky Roach, 43, who was the subject of a massive manhunt in Cheatham County in 2022, is wanted by police after being indicted on multiple charges out of Davidson County.
Those charges include aggravated burglary, aggravated burglary acting in concert and theft of property less than $250,000. Court records show those offenses date back to March 4, 2022 — only about two months before he escaped from corrections officers at an Ashland City hospital.
At the time, Roach was reportedly serving jail time in Cheatham County for a parole violation. Cheatham County court records indicate that Roach has previously pled guilty to charges for robbery, assault, theft and contempt of court.
SEE ALSO: New details released after escapee’s arrest caught on camera
After hours of searching, the May 26, 2022, manhunt ended when a reserve off-duty Ashland City police officer spotted Roach and held him at gunpoint until other officers arrived.
Following his arrest, Cheatham County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Ken Miller told News 2, “I’ve been dealing with Mr. Roach for quite some time, pretty much my whole career here actually.”
Now, Metro Nashville police are looking for Roach in connection with more alleged crimes across county lines. Authorities said his last location is unknown.
10. Joseph Cavaleri
Joseph Cavaleri, 39, is wanted by the MNPD on outstanding warrants for five counts of burglary, three counts of theft of property, criminal impersonation, and four counts of failure to appear. Cavaleri was added to the list on Feb. 7. Authorities said he was last seen in the Central precinct.
CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee
Anyone with information on any of the suspects listed is asked to contact the MNPD at 615-862-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.
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