A local log home salesman who was charged with assaulting a customer at a fast food restaurant last August has been arrested and charged with theft in connection with his business.
A Tennessee Bureau of Investigation inquiry into the matter culminated in the indictment of Lawton Duane Park, 47, on three counts of theft over $10,000 and one count of theft over $1,000. Park was arrested Tuesday night by DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office deputies.
TBI agents reportedly worked with sheriff’s department detectives at the request of 13th District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway to investigate Park. The investigation allegedly revealed that Park sold more than one home kit under the name Starry Hill Log Homes in 2013 and 2014 without delivering the product.
Park was reportedly working as a pastor at the time, conducting Bible study classes at New Heart Outreach in Smithville.
The DeKalb County Grand Jury indicted Park on April 4, charging him with the four counts of theft. Count one of the indictment alleges that “on or about the 19th day of August, 2013 he knowingly did obtain or exercise control over certain property, to wit: $30,261.50 being over the value of $10,000 the property of Jodi Renwand with the intent to deprive constituting the offense of theft.”
Count two alleges that “on or about the 8th day of June, 2015 Park knowingly obtained or exercised control over certain property, to wit: $15,000 being over the value of $10,000 the property of Danny and Tara Hall with the intent to deprive constituting the offense of theft.”
Count alleges that “on or about the 21st day of July, 2015 Park knowingly obtained or exercised control over certain property, to wit: $12,000 being over the value of $10,000 the property of Danny and Tara Hall with the intent to deprive constituting the offense of theft.”
Count four alleges that “on or about the 15th day of June 2015 Park knowingly obtained or exercised control over certain property, to wit: $4,000 being over the value of $1,000 the property of Danny and Tara Hall with the intent to deprive constituting the offense of theft.”
In the earlier case, Park and his wife, Maureen Espino Park, 47, were both arrested and charged with assault on August 27. Maureen Park was also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.
Police at the time said Detective Brandon Donnell was dispatched to McDonald's to check out a report of a fight in progress. Upon a review of video surveillance it was determined that the Parks assaulted the victim and that Maureen Park had a weapon in her purse for which she had no permit.
On Sept. 24, Judge Bratten Cook, II sentenced Mrs. Park to six months on probation for assault, along with 30 days on probation on charges that she was carrying a firearm without a permit. The assault charge against her husband was dismissed.
Smithville Police took the pair into custody after a confrontation with Danny Hall, who had traveled from Michigan to speak to them, turned into a fight at McDonald's in Smithville. Hall told the Review that he borrowed $36,000 in January to pay the couple, operating as Starry Hill Log Homes, as well as to build a foundation for the promised structure. Hall said after several months of delays and excuses he was told that his money had been spent on another project.
The incident at McDonald’s was captured on video, which the judge viewed before finding Maureen Park guilty. It was determined that Mr. Park was trying to break up the fight, and charges against him were dismissed.
“I just stood there and let her hit me,” Hall told the Review, “I didn’t try to hit her back.”
Parks was released after posting a $75,000 bond. He will be arraigned in DeKalb County Criminal Court on April 11.
