Firearm And Moonshine Leads To Assault

Cocke County sheriff’s deputies were called to a home on Middle Creek Road in Cosby Sunday after a melee resulted in assualt. 47 year old Irene Bassett and and 53 year old Jeffrey Sweeny returned home Sunday and found a gun and a bottle of moonshine lying on the coffee table of their living room. Bassett is a convicted felon and cannot have a firearm in her home. The two confronted 38 year old Evan Sweeny about the situation and he reacted with violence, pushing Irene Bassett against the wall near the front door and holding his forearm against her throat. Jeff Sweeny then tried to pull Evan Sweeny away from her but Evan struck him in the left eye before the two men fell over the couch in the living room. Deputies noticed physical marks on both Irene Bassett and Jeffrey Sweeny confirming their stories. Evan Sweeny was arrested and charged with two counts of domestic assault.