Three accused of helping Austin Drummond appear in Tennessee court

Three people accused of helping quadruple murder suspect Austin Drummond evade capture appeared in a Tennessee court on Tuesday.

Twenty-six-year-old Erik Wise, Jr., 31-year-old Michelle Ovelis, and 23-year-old Dearrah Sanders appeared in Madison County Circuit Court charged with being an accessory after the fact.

Sanders and Wise entered guilty pleas on their charges, and received sentences of one year in a plea deal. Ovelis turned down a plea deal and now has a May 5 court date.

A fourth person, Giovontie Thomas appeared in court in early February and entered a guilty plea on accessory after the fact charges.

Investigators said the group helped Drummond evade authorities after he allegedly shot and killed four people in Lake County in July of 2025.

Drummond’s next court was not posted.


(Photo: Madison County TN Sheriff's office)