Hamilton County, TN – Sheriff Austin Garrett has terminated probationary Corrections Deputy Eric Nerison following an off-duty incident that led to his arrest in Collegedale, Tennessee, earlier today. The investigation by Collegedale Police revealed Nerison’s involvement in a domestic assault that occurred at his apartment this morning.

The incident unfolded when a student at Cleveland State College received threats of violence, prompting a precautionary lockdown on campus earlier this morning. Responding officers from the Cleveland State College Police Department and Cleveland Police Department determined the threats were made by Nerison who resided in Collegedale, Tennessee.

Collegedale Police Department personnel were then notified and responded to his apartment where it was discovered Nerison was involved in an earlier domestic assault. Collegedale Police personnel then arrested Nerison without further incident.

Nerison, who joined the Sheriff’s Office on August 5, 2024, was terminated due to his off-duty conduct just thirteen weeks into his six-month probationary period. As a probationary employee, he was not entitled to a pre-disciplinary hearing per Civil Service guidelines.

The Collegedale Police Department has charged Nerison with the following offenses:

• Domestic Assault

• False Imprisonment

For additional information regarding his charges or arrest, please contact the Collegedale Police Department. For any questions relative to the threats at Cleveland State College, please contact the Cleveland State College Police or the Cleveland Police Department.