Department as of 02/16/2015

A Cookeville man was found with methamphetamine during a Sheriff’s Department traffic stop in Smithville last week. 44 year old Anthony Leon Tindle of North Pine Hill Road, Cookeville is charged with possession of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine). His bond is $25,000 and he will make a court appearance March 12. On Friday, February 13 a sheriff’s department detective spotted an older model Cadillac setting near a convenience store at the intersection of Highway 56 & 70 in Smithville. Another vehicle was parked behind the Cadillac. The driver of the Cadillac appeared to be slumped over the wheel. The detective stopped and spoke with the driver, Tindle. During the conversation Tindle told the officer that he had a pipe in his pocket and produced a plastic container which held a wet rock like substance which field tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed 4.8 grams. Tindle was placed under arrest.

58 year old Neal Bernard Keenan of West Main Street, Dowelltown is charged with driving on a revoked license. He was further issued citations for not wearing a seatbelt and for violation of the responsibility law (no insurance). His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court March 5. On Monday, February 9 Keenan was operating a motor vehicle and stopped for not wearing a seatbelt. A computer check revealed that his driver’s license were revoked for DUI on August 5, 2013. He was arrested and brought to the sheriff’s office for booking.

48 year old James Michael Phipps of Cookeville is charged with possession of a schedule II drug (Opana) for resale. His bond is $10,000 and he will make a court appearance on March 12. On Monday, February 9 a sheriff’s department drug detective arrested Phipps, who was a passenger of a vehicle stopped for a traffic violation. Phipps gave the detective consent to search his person and in his coat pocket, six loaded syringes were found. Phipps admitted that the syringes were loaded with the drug Opana. He was arrested and brought to the sheriff’s department for booking.

27 year old Billy Douglas Ferrell of Dale Ridge Road, Dowelltown is charged with driving on a suspended license. He was further issued citations for violation of the financial responsibility law, for no license plates on his vehicle, and for not giving immediate notice of an accident. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court March 26. On Monday, February 9 a deputy was dispatched to New Home Road in reference to someone hitting a mailbox and then leaving the scene. When the officer arrived, he found a piece of a bumper that had broken off in the accident. The next day, Tuesday February 10 the deputy was informed by central dispatch that someone had witnessed the wreck and followed the vehicle to the home of Ferrell. According to the caller, Ferrell was the driver. The officer went to Ferrell’s home and spoke with him. Ferrell admitted to being the driver of the automobile which hit the mailbox on New Home Road. Ferrell further admitted to leaving the scene after the mishap and driving to his home. A computer check revealed that Ferrell’s license were suspended for failure to maintain proof of insurance on April 2, 2014. The deputy had previously cited Ferrell on January 23, 2015 for a first offense of driving on a suspended license and advised him at that time not to be driving anymore. Ferrell was arrested and brought to the jail for booking.

29 year old Justin Ray Lohorn of Driver Street, Smithville is cited for violation of the light law, simple possession of marijuana, and failure to maintain his lane of travel. He will be in court March 12. On Thursday, February 12 a sheriff’s department detective saw a red pickup truck with no tail lights swerving on Braswell Lane in Smithville. The detective stopped the truck and spoke with the driver, Lohorn. After receiving consent to search, the detective found a marijuana joint inside the vehicle.

41 year old Steven Lee Gebhardt of Hurricane Ridge Road, Smithville is charged with public intoxication. His bond is $3,000 and he will be in court March 12. On Thursday, February 12 a sheriff’s department deputy was dispatched to Turtle’s Bar and Grill on Sparta Highway on a complaint of a customer who was trying to start a fight. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with Gebhardt who was unsteady on his feet and he had a strong odor of alcohol on his person. Gebhardt was placed under arrest.

32 year old Teesha Nicole Reynolds of Lovers Lane, Liberty was arrested on Monday, February 9 after an investigation by detectives of both the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and Smithville Police Department. She is charged with two counts of fraudulent use of a debit card and theft of property under $500. Her bond totals $6,500 and she will be in court February 19. In the sheriff’s department case, Reynolds allegedly took a debit card belonging to another on West Main Street, Smithville without the owner’s consent and used it at the Dollar General Store at Snow Hill. The purchase amount was for $45.52.

35 year old David Allen Sloan of Tramel Branch Road, Alexandria is charged with public intoxication. His bond is $1,500 and he will make a court appearance May 7. On Saturday, February 14 Sloan was in the parking lot of Turtle’s Bar and Grill and he was asked to leave when he started a disturbance with employees. He was highly intoxicated and acting very belligerently. The arresting officer asked Sloan several times to calm down but he refused to comply. He was placed under arrest.

24 year old John Wesley Curtis of Braswell Lane, Smithville is charged with driving under the influence. He was also issued a citation for violation of the implied consent law and for stopping on the highway. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court on March 26. On Monday, February 16 a deputy was dispatched to Highway 70 and Dale Ridge Road due to a car blocking two lanes of travel. Upon arrival the officer spoke with the driver, Curtis who had urinated on himself. Curtis had bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and a strong odor of alcohol on his person. He allegedly admitted to drinking six- 24 ounce beers. He performed poorly on field sobriety tasks but he refused to submit to a blood test. Curtis was placed under arrest.

Department activity as of 02/09/2015

An inebriated man was arrested last week after allegedly pointing a handgun at deputies and firing shots away from them into the woods.

65 year old David Scott Davis of Neil Drive, Smithville is charged with public intoxication; resisting stop, frisk, halt, or arrest; two counts of aggravated assault; and one count of possession of a handgun (Smith & Wesson 44 Magnum) while under the influence of alcohol. His bond is $14,500 and he will be in court February 26. On Tuesday, February 3 deputies were dispatched to Neil Drive on a report of a person with a gun. When the two officers arrived, they saw Davis point a handgun at them and then fire shots across the road into the woods. Davis was found to be unsteady on his feet and he had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person. Multiple beer cans were on the ground there. As the officers placed him under arrest, Davis resisted and had to be forcibly taken to the ground.

55 year old Mark Anthony Thompson of Brush Creek is charged with a second offense of driving under the influence. His bond is $3,000 and he will be in court February 19. On Monday, February 2 a deputy was dispatched to Bob Mathis Road due to a report of an intoxicated driver. Upon arrival, the officer found the driver, Thompson sitting in the truck. While speaking with Thompson, the deputy detected a strong odor of alcohol on his person. Thompson’s speech was slurred and very slow. He told the deputy that he had been driving around drunk all day. Due to his level of intoxication, Thompson was unable to stand to undergo field sobriety tasks. He was placed under arrest and taken to the hospital for a blood withdrawal. Thompson was then taken to the sheriff’s department for booking. His prior DUI offense was in April 2007.

53 year old Tommye Lou Bell of Hawkins Drive, Smithville is charged with a third offense of driving under the influence and having contraband in a penal institution. She was further issued a citation for violation of the financial responsibility law (no insurance). Her bond is $9,500 and she will be in court March 19. On Wednesday, February 4 a deputy was dispatched on a report of a reckless driver traveling east bound on the Nashville Highway. The officer spotted a silver 2012 Honda SUV heading eastbound from the Dollar General Store. As he followed, the deputy observed the vehicle cross the center line of the highway several times into the passing lane. He activated his emergency blue lights, trying to get the driver of the SUV to stop. When the driver, Bell saw the deputy behind her, she crossed the center turn lane into westbound traffic and almost hit an oncoming Ford pickup head-on. The SUV turned into Tiger Drive, pulled into a parking lot, and stopped. Bell’s speech was slurred and she had difficulty finding her drivers license and other vehicle information. After performing poorly on field sobriety tasks, Bell was placed under arrest and taken to the jail. Prior to a pat down and search, Bell was asked if she had any illegal substances on her. She replied “no”. During the search, a female correctional officer found in Bell’s bra a bottle containing 54 Dilaudid tablets.

43 year old Tisha Elaine Burns of Cookeville Highway, Smithville is charged with a second offense of driving under the influence. Her bond is $3,000. She will be in court March 5. On Friday, February 6 a deputy was dispatched to New Bildad Road on a report of a suspicious vehicle having been seen parked by the bridge. The officer spotted a white Crown Victoria there and spoke with the driver, Burns. He detected an odor of alcohol on her person. Her eyes were glossy and she was unsteady on her feet. After performing poorly on field sobriety tasks, she was arrested and taken to the hospital for a blood withdrawal and then to the sheriff’s department for booking. Meanwhile Burns and a passenger of her vehicle, 44 year old Comer Thomas Vance of Railroad Avenue, Shelbyville were each cited for criminal trespassing after it was determined they were trespassing on private property at the bridge where two “No Trespassing” signs are posted.

49 year old Betty Marie Davis and her daughter 25 year old Heather Marie Davis of Corinth Church Road, Rock Island are each charged with domestic assault. Bond for each is $1,500 and they will be in court February 12. On Saturday, February 7 a deputy was dispatched to a residence on Corinth Church Road due to a domestic complaint. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with Heather Davis and Betty Davis who said that they had gotten into an argument over a car. Heather claims her mother hit her in the left eye causing it to become red and swollen. Betty claims Heather punched her in the face, busting her nose.

Department activity as of 2/05/15

A 28 year old woman was found stabbed to death in her home on Cookeville Highway Thursday afternoon and her boyfriend has been charged with killing her.

42 year old Anthony (Tony) Tyrone Crews was taken into custody Thursday night and charged with second degree murder in the death of Ashley Bain. He remains in the DeKalb County Jail under a $250,000 bond. He will be in General Sessions Court February 12.

Bain’s body was found lying on the floor of a bedroom at the home she and Crews shared at 3870 Cookeville Highway north of Smithville. She had been stabbed numerous times about the upper body. It’s not known exactly how long Bain had been dead by the time authorities were notified. Bain had been seen alive earlier in the day on Thursday. A knife, believed to have been the murder weapon, was found in the home.

Crews called 911 at 2:33 p.m. to report that he had discovered Bain’s body when he entered the residence. Members of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department were alerted and quickly arrived on the scene. The TBI and District Attorney General’s Office also joined the investigation. Authorities determined that Crews had committed the crime and made up the story about finding the body. Although officials believe they know the motive for the stabbing, they are not releasing it at this time.

The warrant against Crews alleges that “on February 5th, 2015, at 3870 Cookeville Highway, Anthony Tyrone Crews did intentionally and knowingly kill Ashley Bain by stabbing her numerous times about the upper body”.

Bain’s body has been sent to Nashville for an autopsy.

Department activity as of 01/19/15

A 21 year old McMinnville man who allegedly admitted to taking a Caterpillar front end loader for a joy ride has been arrested by the Sheriff’s Department. Gregory Wayne Elliott of McMinnville is charged with vandalism and joy riding. His bond is $6,500 and he will be in court January 29.

Elliott admitted to taking the front end loader from a business in Liberty and then abandoning it in the roadway on Highway 53 on Thursday, January 15. As Elliott drove away from the business, the front end loader caused damaged to the front gate. Elliott was later found with two other people in an automobile at the intersection of Highway 53 and Main Street in Liberty. An officer spoke with Elliott and he allegedly admitted to taking the front end loader. He was arrested and brought to the sheriff’s department for booking. The case was investigated by a sheriff’s department detective.

Meanwhile, a Smithville woman who allegedly passed a forged check to a bonding company has been charged with forgery. 29 year old Melinda Beth Murphy of East Broad Street, Smithville is under a $40,000 bond and she will be in court January 22. On Friday, January 9 Murphy passed a forged check in the amount of $500 to a bonding company to make bail for Molly Lawrence. The case was investigated by a sheriff’s department detective.

27 year old Molly Sue Lawrence of Highland Drive Smithville is charged with forgery. Her bond is $20,000 and she will be in court January 22. On Monday, January 12 Lawrence was found with a check in her possession which belonged to someone else. The check was made out to Molly Lawrence in the amount of $350. The victim did not give Lawrence the check nor permission to write one. The case was investigated by a sheriff’s department detective.

Both Murphy and Lawrence were arrested on separate forgery charges earlier this month.

18 year old Ronald Gutierrez of Smith Road, Smithville is charged with public intoxication. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court January 19. On Friday, January 16 Gutierrez was observed by the School Resource Officer at DCHS sitting inside a vehicle on campus during school hours. Upon speaking with him, the SRO found that Gutierrez had an odor of marijuana on his person and his eyes were glazed. Gutierrez admitted to smoking marijuana and he was placed under arrest.

44 year old Royce Avon Foster of Jacobs Pillar Road, Smithville is charged with driving on a revoked license (3rd offense), theft of property over $1,000, and burglary. His bond is $30,000 and he will be in court January 22. On Tuesday, January 13 a deputy spotted Foster driving a vehicle on Jacobs Pillar Road. The officer had prior knowledge that Foster’s drivers license were revoked and that he has active warrants against him. The deputy made a traffic stop and a computer check confirmed that Foster’s license were revoked. He was brought to the jail for booking. In the burglary and theft cases, On Monday, January 12 Foster entered an outbuilding on Jacobs Pillar Road and took green wrought iron furniture, a Stihl weedeater, a weedeater blade, and a Chaise lounge all valued at approximately $1,090. The burglary and theft cases were investigated by a sheriff’s department detective.

48 year old Johnny Ramos of McMinnville is charged with a fourth offense of driving on a revoked license. His bond is $4,500 and he will be in court February 12. On Monday, January 12 a deputy responded to a domestic complaint in which a man was reported to have left the scene in a white Ford van. While enroute, the officer spotted Ramos who was driving a van which fit the description. He made a traffic stop and learned that Ramos’ drivers license were revoked.

43 year old Scottie Dewayne Linder of Oak Drive, Smithville is charged with driving under the influence and possession of a handgun while under the influence. He was further issued a citation for driving on roadways laned for traffic. His bond is $6,500 and he will be in court March 5. On Thursday, January 15 a deputy was dispatched to Highway 56 north for a possible impaired driver. The officer spotted a vehicle crossing over the center line and into the opposite lane of travel. He made a traffic stop and spoke with the driver, Linder. After obtaining consent to search the automobile, the deputy found a Glock 21 caliber pistol. Linder submitted to and performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. He also took a blood test. Linder was then placed under arrest.

47 year old Mark Allen Thomas of Woodbury is charged with public intoxication. He was further issued a citation for simple possession. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court January 22. On Thursday, January 15 a deputy responded to Short Mountain Highway in reference to an intoxicated man who was reported to be beating on the door of a residence. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with the homeowner who identified a neighbor, Thomas as the person responsible. The deputy located Thomas and advised him not to be knocking on his neighbor’s doors. But before the officer left the area, Thomas started walking back toward his neighbor’s homes. The deputy again confronted Thomas. Thomas allegedly threatened the deputy by reaching into his coat pocket and making the statement “You’re going to hate me for this”. Thomas was unsteady on his feet and had a strong odor of alcohol on his person. For his safety and the safety of others, Thomas was placed under arrest. Two Klonopin pills, a schedule IV drug, were found in an unlabeled bottle in Thomas’ pocket.

Department activity as of 01/12/15

Three women were arrested by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department last week on separate forgery charges.

29 year old Melinda Beth Murphy of Short Mountain Highway, Smithville faces two counts of forgery. Her bond is $10,000 and she will be in court January 22. On Thursday, January 8 Murphy passed two forged checks at a store in Liberty without the victim’s consent. One check was in the amount of $110 and the other was for $90.

39 year old Jo Ann Luna of Bright Hill Road, Smithville is charged with one count of forgery and one count of resisting stop, frisk, halt, or arrest. Her bond is $6,500 and she will be in court January 22. On Thursday, January 8 Luna passed a forged check at the same store in Liberty in the amount of $200 . A deputy saw her trying to cash the check. As the officer placed her in custody, Luna tried to pull away from him in an attempt to avoid arrest.

27 year old Molly Sue Lawrence of Highland Street, Smithville is charged with one count of forgery. Her bond is $5,000 and she will be in court on January 15. On Tuesday, January 6 Lawrence passed a forged check for $200 at a bank in Alexandria without the victim’s consent.

These forgery cases were investigated by detectives and deputies of the sheriff’s department.

Ginger Elaine Moore of McMinnville Highway, Smithville is charged with simple possession of a schedule VI drug (marijuana). Her bond is $1,500 and she will be in court January 22. On Monday, January 5 a sheriff’s department drug detective went to a residence on South Judkins Lane. Upon arrival the detective knocked and Moore opened the door. The officer smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the residence. Moore allowed him to come inside and talk to her but as the detective entered the home, Moore went to her bedroom and tried to hide a wooden box which contained .28 ounces of marijuana. Moore was placed under arrest.

23 year old Eric Dewayne Judkins of Hendrickson Road, Smithville is charged with two counts of theft of property under $500. His bond is $5,000 and he will be in court January 29. On November 18 Judkins went to an auto parts store in Smithville and bought an ignition coil in the amount of $84.50 and charged it to another person without his consent. The next day, Judkins went to an auto parts store and bought a control module in the amount of $115. 23 and charged it to another person without his consent. The cases were investigated by a sheriff’s department detective.

Brandi Louise Murphy-Proffer of Barnes Mill Road, Smithville is charged with criminal impersonation. Her bond is $1,500 and she will be in court January 29. On Tuesday, January 6 a sheriff’s department detective went to an address on Jefferson Road to conduct an investigation. Upon arrival, he spoke with a woman who identified herself as Lonnie Lykens. The detective later learned that she had lied about her name. When confronted, the woman admitted to using a false name because she had warrants against her from Michigan. She then gave her true identity and was placed under arrest.

Meanwhile, Proffer’s boyfriend, 26 year old Dustin Matthew Brewer is charged with being a fugitive from justice. His bond is $200,000 and he will be in court January 22. On Wednesday, January 7 Brewer, who had a parole absconded warrant against him from Michigan, was located at a residence on Barnes Mill Road. The warrant was confirmed through the National Crime Information Center and he was placed under arrest and held without bond. Brewer made a court appearance last Thursday, January 8 and signed a waiver of extradition. Michigan authorities have ten days to pick him up.

23 year old Amanda Marie Hatfield of Adcock Cemetery Road, Smithville is charged with domestic assault. Her bond is $2,500 and she will be in court on January 15. On Saturday, January 10 a deputy responded to Kings Court due to a domestic dispute. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with a man who said he and his wife, Hatfield had gotten into an argument over her wanting to see his phone. The man said when he refused to give her his phone, Hatfield got on top of him and grabbed him around the neck. He then pushed her away and went to call for help. The man had red finger marks and scratches on both sides of his neck. Hatfield was determined to have been the primary aggressor and she was brought to the jail for booking. Warren county authorities also had a hold on her for separate offenses. After she made bond here, Hatfield was taken to Warren County.

Activity Report for the calendar year January 1, 2014-December 31, 2014.

“Activity Report” from his department for the calendar year January 1, 2014-December 31, 2014.

The report shows a total of 8,397 incident calls for the year. These statistics are from the 911 center. These are dispatched calls, not self-initiated calls (incidents that officers respond to on routine patrols). Self-initiated calls are not included in these counts:

The report breaks down as follows:

Calls Reported :

Wrecks- 671
4 wheeler calls- 50
911 calls- 420
Abandoned Vehicles- 15
Animal calls- 424
Assaults- 59
Armed Suspects- 15
Fires and Fire Alarms- 287
Boating Accident- 4
Bomb Threats- 2
Break-ins- 227
Burglar Alarms- 600
Child Custody Exchanges- 26
Children in roadway- 13
Civil Matters- 58
Debris in roadway- 38
Deliver Messages- 37
Disturbing the peace- 75
Deaths- 51
Domestic violence- 524
Drownings- 1
Drug trafficking- 77
Escorts-36
Funeral Property Escorts- 215
Extra Patrols- 375
Fights- 89
Gas drive-offs- 10
Harassments- 54
Indecent exposure- 1
Investigations- 623
Kidnapping- 2
Medical Alarms- 15
Medical Assists- 288
Mental Patient Transports- 48
Missing Person- 90
Mutual Aid to another Agency- 53
Possible D.U.I. – 175
Public Intoxication calls- 32
Rape- 8
Reckless Drivers- 417
Recover Property- 45
Robbery- 4
Seizures- 18
Shots fired- 72
Shop lifter- 7
Stranded motorists- 108 –
Attempt Suicide and Suicide calls- 90
Suspicious noises, persons and vehicles- 565
Traffic Hazards- 247
Trespassing- 26
Unruly juveniles- 24
Unwanted guests- 166
Vandalism- 109
Vehicle lockouts- 305
Wanted Persons- 109
Welfare checks- 297

Total 8397 incident calls

Department activity as of 01/07/2015

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department has been investigating a rash of break-ins since Thanksgiving weekend and an arrest has been made in one of them. 42 year old Jimmy “J.J.” Tolbert Hendrixson, Jr. of Old Snow Hill Road, Dowelltown is charged with theft of property over $1,000. His bond is $50,000 and he will be in court January 8. He was arrested Monday, January 5.

On December 8, 2014 Hendrixson allegedly went to a residence on Old Snow Hill Road and took a Husqvarna and Stihl chainsaw with a total value of $1,100.

Most of the break-ins occurred in the southern portion of the county between Friday, November 28 and Sunday, January 4th on properties with detached garages in which the perpetrators made a forced entry into the garages. Items taken in these thefts include Craftsman hand tools, Shindaiwa chainsaws, DeWalt grinder, Cordless drill bit set, Echo hedge trimmers, Shindaiwa leaf blower, Model 026 Stihl chainsaw , Stihl weedeaters, 15 foot log chain with hooks on each end, a Miller model 1700 welder, DeWalt air compressor, Porter cable pancake compressor, Stihl chop saw, Makita gas powered cut off saw, Bosch hammer drill with bits, 20 volt DeWalt impact driver, 20 volt DeWalt hammer drill, Hitachi miter box, DeWalt laser level, Crown nailer, framing gun, 10 inch table saw, DeWalt 18 volt circular saw, 450 Husqvarna chainsaw, 395 XP Husqvarna chainsaw, Model 251 Stihl chainsaw in orange carrying case, Model 029 Stihl chainsaw, Stihl weedeater, Craftsman tool kit (case) containing a 19.2 volt reciprocating saw, circular saw, 2 speed drill, a battery charger, and a work light.

We are asking for your help in solving these crimes by reporting tips to the Sheriff’s Department. We ask that if you have purchased these type items from Hendrixson or anyone else to contact the Sheriff’s Department and let us take a look at them and check the serial numbers to make sure they are not stolen. Call 615-597-4935 and talk to me or one of the detectives. You may also call the Sheriff’s Department’s crime tip line at 615-464-6400. You may remain anonymous.