Update: Third-party security guard working at Brainerd High operated without license
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. — New documents show that a private security guard at Brainerd High School who allegedly punched a student last week didn't have a license to practice security to begin with.
Josephus Reed says he is the owner of Bigfoot Private Enforcement Security, according to his social media.
"I'm gonna make them so uncomfortable they ain't gon wanna fight, we gon keep everybody safe," says Reed in a TikTok.
The district confirmed someone at Brainerd High hired the third party security team, but the district did not authorize it.
Reed lists his birthday as March 23, 1974.
We did a court document search and found that in 2009 Reed was indicted on a federal drug charge in Chattanooga.
The document shows Reed served 3 years in federal prison before getting out on supervised release in 2013.
Federal court documents show that ended in 2017.
When we started digging into Reed’s license status, we discovered a document showing that when he applied, he was denied for “material misstatement.”
The Director of Communications for the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance tells us that if you are convcited of certain crimes, you have to wait 5 years after your sentence ends to apply for a security license.
Court documents show Reed would have become eligible in 2022, but the state spokesperson said...
To legally work as a security guard (whether armed or unarmed) you must be licensed.
We've entered a public records request for Reed's application for a license, we'll keep you updated on what it shows.
But one question remains: without a security license, how did Bigfoot Security make their way into a Hamilton County school?
The district says they are still investigating who specifically at Brainerd High School authorized the security company to be there.
The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office is also investigating the clash between the student and the security guard.
At this point, no one is facing any charges.
We also discovered that Reed is the co-founder of a non-profit called "Street Smarts."
The non-profit aims to alleviate poverty with scholarships and financial incentives that boost economic and academic opportunities in marginalized neighborhoods.
The group also works to help lower crime rates and mentor at-risk youth.
According to a pamphlet from "Street Smarts," "by hiring people who are reformed former criminals, the city and county is helping to reduce the recidivism rate and foster an environment of successful reentry into society."
We reached out to Reed by phone, but he disconnected the call.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
