Madisonville Woman Charged for Illegally Posting Man's Personal Info

Emma Berger, administrator of a local news Facebook page, accused of sharing unredacted court documents

Mar. 21, 2026 at 12:01am

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Emma Berger, a Madisonville, Tennessee woman who runs a community Facebook page about Monroe County news, has been charged with identity theft for allegedly posting unredacted personal information of a convicted sex offender without his permission. The Monroe County Sheriff's Office says Berger obtained the document, which included the man's date of birth, driver's license number, and Social Security number, through unauthorized access to the county's electronic court records system.

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns over the unauthorized sharing of sensitive personal information, which can lead to identity theft and other fraud. It also raises questions about public access to court records and the responsibility of social media administrators to protect individuals' privacy, even for those involved in criminal cases.

The details

According to authorities, Berger posted an unredacted warrant about Mitchell Craig Cook, who is accused along with a woman of passing contraband to inmates at a local high school. The sheriff's office says certain information in public records, such as Social Security numbers and driver's license numbers, is protected by law and should be redacted before release. However, the warrant posted on Berger's Facebook page contained Cook's unredacted personal details. When contacted, Cook said he did not give anyone permission to post this information online.

  • On March 9, school authorities discovered a stash of contraband items hidden at Sequoyah High School.
  • On March 13, Emilie J. "Emma" Berger was arrested and charged with identity theft.
  • Berger is due to be arraigned on the charges on Monday.

The players

Emma Berger

A Madisonville, Tennessee woman who is the administrator of a Facebook page about Monroe County news.

Mitchell Craig Cook

A convicted sex offender who is accused of passing contraband to inmates at a local high school.

Monroe County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that arrested Berger and is investigating the unauthorized release of Cook's personal information.

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What they’re saying

“While many county records are public records and can be viewed by the public, certain information contained within those records is protected by law and is not permitted to be publicly disclosed including personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers and driver's license numbers.”

— Sheriff Tommy Jones

“Upon speaking with Mr. Cook, he advised that he did not give anyone permission to post his personal identification to a social media platform.”

— Detective Conway Mason

What’s next

The judge will decide on Monday whether to allow Berger to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of protecting individuals' sensitive personal information, even for those involved in criminal cases. It raises questions about public access to court records and the responsibility of social media administrators to safeguard privacy.