Woman Found Dead Monday Identified

Through fingerprints, investigators have now identified a woman found dead Monday morning in Smithville as 28 year old Jessica Renee Stephens of Cannon County. Her cause of death will be determined following the completion of the autopsy and toxicology report.

The case remains under investigation by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

On Monday, November 12 DeKalb Central Dispatch received a call at 7:50 a.m. of a body lying in a backyard on Parkway Drive Smithville. Officers with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the 13^th District Attorney’s Office were summoned to the scene.

Officers at the scene could not produce any photo identification on the body  at that time. She was described as a white female, approximately 5’4” inches tall, approximately 120-125 pounds, sandy blonde hair, approximately 30-40 years of age. She was wearing maroon medical scrubs and brown boots. There was an orange Home Depot jersey, brown jacket and blue shirt at the scene. Shealso had a pierced belly button, a tattoo of a cross on the back of her neck, and what appeared to be a “M” “W” or “3” tattooed on her right hand.

Thanks to those who contacted us to provide information in efforts to identify the woman.

 

November 13, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

Through fingerprints, investigators have now identified a woman found dead Monday morning in Smithville as 28 year old Jessica Renee Stephens of Cannon County. Her cause of death will be determined following the completion of the autopsy and toxicology report.

The case remains under investigation by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

“On Monday, November 12 DeKalb Central Dispatch received a call at 7:50 a.m. of a body lying in a backyard on Parkway Drive Smithville. Officers with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the 13^thDistrict Attorney’s Office were summoned to the scene,” said Sheriff Patrick Ray in a prepared statement.

Officers at the scene could not produce any photo identification on the body  at that time. She was described as a white female, approximately 5’4” inches tall, approximately 120-125 pounds, sandy blonde hair, approximately 30-40 years of age. She was wearing maroon medical scrubs and brown boots. There was an orange Home Depot jersey, brown jacket and blue shirt at the scene. Shealso had a pierced belly button, a tattoo of a cross on the back of her neck, and what appeared to be a “M” “W” or “3” tattooed on her right hand.

“Thanks to those who contacted us to provide information in efforts to identify the woman,” said Sheriff Ray and the TBI in a joint statement

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Department activity as of 11/13/2018

An elderly woman who went to her former boyfriend’s home looking for a confrontation Monday apparently got more than she bargained for and is now facing charges of domestic violence and assault. 76 year old Sarah Opal Atnip of Shady Drive Smithville is under a $5,500 bond and her court date is set for November 29. On Monday at 12:15 p.m. DeKalb Central Dispatch received a call of a domestic violence incident at a residence on Allen Street in Smithville. Sheriff’s  Department deputies responded. An investigation into the disturbance revealed that Atnip drove to the home of her  62 year old former boyfriend to confront him. Atnip’s adult granddaughter rode with her. After he ordered Atnip off his property, she drove into the rear end of his automobile moving it about three feet leaving black marks. He then hit Atnip’s windshield with a wooden lounge chair trying to stop her from pushing his vehicle any farther. At this time, Atnip’s granddaughter got out of the vehicle. Meanwhile the man’s current girlfriend, who resides with him at this residence, pulled in the driveway beside of Atnip’s vehicle and got out. Atnip started cussing the woman and then grabbed her hair as both  fell into Atnip’s vehicle. Atnip then hit the woman with a cell phone but she fought back. After receiving calls about the incident Central Dispatch began dispatched officers to the scene but the fighting had ended by the time they arrived. DeKalb EMS was also summoned to the scene and transported Atnip to the hospital where she received medical treatment and was released a short time later.  The other woman was also injured in the fight In addition to the charges against her, Atnip was placed under an Order of Protection and according to the bond conditions she is to stay away from her former boyfriend and his girlfriend.

A convicted felon was arrested Sunday morning after he was found illegally in possession of a handgun. 38 year old Jerry Shawn Kelsey of Sparta was charged with the offense. His bond is $20,000 and he will be in court December 6. On Sunday, November 11 at 1:35 a.m. a deputy was patrolling  when he noticed two occupants in a black car with its headlights off setting at a business on East Broad Street.. The deputy stopped and spoke with the driver, Kelsey. An NCIC computer check revealed he had active warrants against him in Van Buren and White Counties. A further background check found that Kelsey has multiple felonies against him including theft of property over $10,000, aggravated burglary, and other charges. The officer recovered a handgun under the driver seat after Kelsey admitted it was there. The gun was a black  380 caliber pistol Jimenez Arms.

21 year old Olivia Hope Barber of Forrest Avenue, Smithville is charged with tampering with evidence and public intoxication. She was also cited for simple possession of a schedule IV drug. Barber is under a $11,500 bond and her court date is December 6. On Sunday, November 11 a deputy arrested Barber on East Broad Street for public intoxication after finding the woman unsteady on her feet. Barber’s speech was also slurred. After placing her in the back seat of his patrol car the officer noticed that Barber had laid down. When he opened the back door to check on Barber the deputy found a small white pill on the floor board.  He then removed Barber from the car and spotted a white powdery residue on the back seat where she had been lying. The officer determined that Barber had tried to destroy  evidence by eating the pills she had on her. Barber was then  brought to the jail and strip searched by a female correctional officer in the bathroom of the booking room. During the search, the correctional officer noticed a paper towel protruding from Barber’s body cavity. After being asked to remove it, Barber grabbed the paper (apparently containing drugs) and tossed it in the toilet. As the correctional officer tried to restrain her, Barber used her foot to flush it. Barber admitted to the officer that what she flushed was her medication.

32 year old Brandon Thomas Carpenter of McMinnville is charged with four counts of fraudulent use of a credit or debit card. His bond is $6,000 and he will make a court appearance on November 15. Carpenter used his victim’s credit or debit card to obtain money at Walmart in the following amounts: $275.99 on June 3, $221.99 and $330.99 on June 5, and $221.00 on June 9.

28 year old Christopher Howard of Nashville Highway, Liberty is charged with driving under the influence. He was also cited for violation of the open container law. His bond is $1,500 and he will make a court appearance on December 6. On Monday, November 5 a deputy was called to Nashville Highway where a man was spotted passed out behind the steering wheel of an SUV. Upon arrival the officer found the driver, Howard, passed out and the engine was still running. The deputy awoke Howard and detected a strong odor of alcohol on his person. His eyes were red and watery and he was unsteady on his feet. An open container of alcohol was also in the vehicle.

32 year old Charika Lynn Moore of Estes Street, Smithville is charged with filing a false report. She is under a $6,500 bond and her court date is November 29. 34 year old Brandy Leanna Goff and 26 year old Samantha Marie Willis both of Baxter are charged with aggravated criminal trespassing. Each is under a $2,500 bond and will appear in court on December 29. On Sunday, November 11 a deputy responded to Austin Bottom Road due to a break-in. Upon arrival, the officer found Goff and Willis on the property but they did not have permission to be there.

Body of a woman was found this morning in the backyard of a residence. November 12, 2018

The body of a woman was found this morning in the backyard of a residence on Parkway Drive in Smithville.

The case is under investigation by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The deceased has not yet been identified.

On Monday, November 12 DeKalb Central Dispatch received a call at 7:50 a.m. of a body lying in a backyard on Parkway Drive Smithville. Officers with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the 13^thDistrict Attorney’s Office were summoned to the scene.

Officers at the scene could not produce any photo identification on the body and the body has not yet been identified. The body is described as a white female, approximately 5’4” inches tall, approximately 120-125 pounds, sandy blonde hair, approximately 30-40 years of age. The female was wearing maroon medical scrubs and brown boots. There was an orange Home Depot jersey, brown jacket and blue shirt at the scene. The female also had a pierced belly button, a tattoo of a cross on the back of her neck, and what appeared to be a “M” “W” or “3” tattooed on her right hand.

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are asking for the public’s help in identifying the body.

If you think you may know the identity of this lady, please call the DeKalb Central Dispatch at 615-215-3000 or the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations Tip Line at 1-800-TBI-FIND.

Department activity as of 11/05/2018

A Cookeville man is facing charges after breaking into JBeez Watercraft on Smithville Highway in September. 33 year old Jesse Colt Warden is charged with two counts of vandalism, theft of property over $1,000, burglary, and possession of burglary tools. Bond for Warden is $45,000 and his court date is November 15. On September 11 Warden made entry to the business by breaking a glass window valued at $2,000. He used a pry bar and sledge hammer to destroy a safe valued at $5,000. Warden then allegedly stole from the business an Apple Ipad, 8 Peak handheld radios and $1,000 in cash with a total value at $3,900.

31 year old Shawn Michael Evans of Jennings Lane, Smithville is charged with violation of an order of protection and failure to appear. He is under a total bond of $9,500 and his court date is November 29. On Saturday, November 3 a deputy went to Evans’ home to arrest him on a warrant. Upon arrival he spoke with Evans and a woman. A computer check revealed that the woman has an active order of protection against Evans to keep away from her. The failure to appear stems from his missing a court date in a domestic assault case in General Sessions Court.

Ten more defendants have been rounded up by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department since the first wave of 14 who were picked up last week from an undercover investigation.

The DeKalb County Grand Jury met in special session last Monday, October 29 and returned sealed indictments in several drug and theft cases along with a statutory rape investigation by the Sheriff’s Department. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation also presented two drug cases to the Grand Jury.

The indictments were the result of an undercover drug operation which started in February. The drug buys included marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, morphine, roxicodone, xanax, oxycodone, and suboxone. Four vehicles have also been seized as a result of the investigation.

The latest to be served with indictments and their charges are as follows:

*29 year old Travis Eric Patterson of Toad Road, Dowelltown: possession of marijuana (6 ounces) for resale, possession of a schedule II drug (15 grams of methamphetamine), simple possession of a schedule IV drug (xanax), and possession of a firearm by a felon (6 counts- six weapons). His bond on these charges totals $150,000 and his arraignment date is December 11. These offenses stem from search warrant served at his home June 20, 2018.

*41 year old Dana Michelle Taylor of Prater Road, Smithville: two counts of sale and delivery of a schedule III drug (suboxone). Her bond is $25,000 and will be arraigned December 11.

*22 year old Jacob Fisher Murphy of Payton Lane, Smithville: sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine). His bond is $50,000 and arraignment will be December 11.

*36 year old Willie Ray Murphy of West Bryant Street, Smithville: two counts of sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) and four counts of violation of the drug free zone. Murphy’s bond is $75,000 and his arraignment is December 11.

*24 year old Jesse Ray Herman of Meadowbrook Drive, Smithville: two counts of sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) and four counts of violation of the drug free zone. Herman’s bond is $85,000 and his arraignment is December 11.

*33 year old Cody Lee Crips of Village Place, Smithville: sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) and two counts of violation of the drug free zone. Crips’ bond is $75,000 and his arraignment is December 11.

*38 year old Hani Mohamad (BJ) Ittayem: sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine). TBI case. His bond is $50,000 and he will be arraigned December 11.

*42 year old Chad Wilson Johnson of Midway Road, Smithville: sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) and two counts of violation of the drug free zone. Johnson’s bond is $75,000 and his arraignment is December 11.

*22 year old Aaron Jeffery Jones of Mullican Street, McMinnville: two counts of sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) and four counts of violation of the drug free zone. Jones’ bond is $75,000 and his arraignment is December 11.

*55 year old Pauline Bain Braswell of Arrowhead Drive, Smithville: two counts of sale and delivery of a schedule IV drug (xanax) and four counts of violation of the drug free zone. Braswell’s bond is $50,000 and his arraignment is December 11.

*26 year old Nathaniel Dylan Tippens of Morgan Drive Smithville: two counts of sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) and two counts of Drug Free Zone. His bond is $50,000 and he will be arraigned December 11.

Others served with indictments last week and previously reported on WJLE include the following:

*57 year old Jimmy (TONY) Anthony Davis of Seven Springs Road indicted for 2 counts of sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (roxicodone); 1 count of sale and delivery of a schedule IV controlled substance (xanax); and 4 counts of a drug free zone. His bond is $100,000. He will be arraigned in criminal court on December 11.

*18 year old Robert Stephen Derrick of Toad Road, Dowelltown indicted for 2 counts of sale and delivery of a schedule VI controlled substance (marijuana). His bond is $10,000. He will be arraigned December 11.

*53 year old Vincent Rodolphus Helser of Old Snow Hill Road Dowelltown indicted for 3 counts of sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (methamphetamine) and 2 counts of a drug free zone. He is under a $75,000 bond and will be arraigned December 11.

*53 year old Angela Louise Howell of Cecil Hale Road, Smithville is indicted for 4 counts of sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (methamphetamine) from drug buys and 1 count of sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (methamphetamine) on a search warrant the Sheriff’s Department executed on May 23, 2018 at Howell’s residence on Cecil Hale Road. Her bond is $200,000 and she will be arraigned December 11.

*40 year old Jessica Renee Owen of Twilla Lane, Smithville is indicted for 1 count of sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (roxicodone) and 2 counts of a drug free zone. She is under a $75,000 bond and will be arraigned December 11.

*42 year old Tyrone Dewayne Owens of Shady Drive, Smithville is indicted for 2 counts of sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (methamphetamine). His bond is $50,000 and he will be arraigned December 11.

*66 year old Judy Ann Phillips of V.L. Wilson Loop, Smithville indicted for 2 counts of sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (morphine) and 4 counts of a drug free zone. Her bond is $50,000 and she will be arraigned December 11.

*39 year old Laurie Anne Southard of Circle Drive, Dowelltown is indicted for 2 counts of sale and delivery of a schedule IV controlled substance (xanax) . She is under a $25,000.00 bond and will be arraigned December 11.

*27 year old Damon Lee West of Laverne Street, Alexandria is indicted for 1 count of sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (methamphetamine) and 1 count of sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (oxycodone) . His bond is $50,000 and he will be arraigned December 11.

*29 year old Travis Eric Patterson of Toad Road, Dowelltown is indicted for 1 count of sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (cocaine); 3 counts of sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (methamphetamine); 1 count of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon; 1 count of burglary; 1 count of theft of property; and 1 count of vandalism. His bond is $350,000 and he will be arraigned December 11.

*35 year old James Skyler Miller of South 25th Street New Castle Indiana is indicted for 2 counts of statutory rape. He allegedly had sex with a 16 year old in May and July 2017. Miller was 33 years old at that time. He is a registered sex offender in Indiana.

*60 year old Richard Lee Franklin of Winter Drive, Dowelltown is indicted for 1 count of sale and delivery of a schedule III controlled substance (suboxone) . He is under a $25,000 bond and will be arraigned December 11.

*66 year old Melvin Leon Crips Sr. of Village Place, Smithville is indicted for 1 count of sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (roxicodone) and 2 counts of a drug free zone. His bond is $75,000 and he will be arraigned December 11.

*25 year old Resha Nicole Martin of Kings Court Circle, Smithville is indicted for 2 counts of sale and delivery of a schedule III controlled substance (suboxone). Her bond is $25,000 and she will be arraigned in criminal court December 11.

Smithville Man Wanted in $80,000 Franklin Jewelry Heist

November 2, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

An 18 year old Smithville man who allegedly stole $80,000 worth of jewelry last Friday at a store in CoolSprings Galleria is wanted by the Franklin Police Department.

The incident happened Oct. 26 at 4:45 p.m., when police said the suspect snatched a display tray of about a dozen tennis bracelets from the hands of a salesperson in Grogan Jewelers.

Franklin Police have identified the suspect as 18-year-old Jario Godinez of Smithville. Godinez knows that he is wanted, and police now consider him a fugitive. A Crime Stoppers cash reward is being offered to anyone who provides information leading to Godinez’s capture. Call 615-794-4000

Department activity as of 10/31/2018

The DeKalb County Grand Jury met in special session Monday and returned sealed indictments in several drug and theft cases along with a statutory rape investigation by the Sheriff’s Department.  The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation also presented two drug cases to the Grand Jury.

The indictments were the result of an undercover drug operation which started in February. The drug buys included marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, morphine, roxicodone, xanax, oxycodone, and suboxone.

We made controlled undercover drug buys in different areas of the county including the cities of Alexandria, Dowelltown, and Smithville. We also made controlled undercover drug buys in different communities of the county including the Blue Springs, Snow Hill, Cookeville Highway, Midway, and Short Mountain Highway communities.

Some of these buys were in the drug free zone or school zones which are drug free. What that actually means is that when we charge somebody with “violation of the drug free zone or school zone”, it ups the felony charge a class. So if somebody gets charged with a C felony, it ups it to a B felony. Upon a conviction of the charge, the defendant would serve 100% of the jail time. A Drug free zone or Drug Free School Zone is 1,000 feet of any public or private school, preschool, child care agency, public library, recreational center, or recreational parks such as a ballpark.

I want to thank all of my department, especially my Detectives and Chief Deputy who worked on this drug operation and for the job that they are doing in our county. I am very proud to employ people with the professionalism and the desire to work at their jobs so that a difference can be made for the citizens of the county to enjoy their quality of life. My Department is very focused on charging anyone who plagues our county with the sale of illegal drugs. Today’s arrests are an important step to all of us who live, work or visit in DeKalb County.

I encourage anyone who knows anybody that is selling drugs to call our drug tip line at 615-464-6400. We also have a website, www.dekalbsherifftn.com, which has links on the left hand side of the web page where you see “crime stoppers” and “stop drug dealers”. You can get on there and share your information. We can gather it off of there. You can always contact me at the jail and tell anything that you know. Everything is confidential.

Those served with indictments to date include the following:

*57 year old Jimmy (TONY) Anthony Davis of Seven Springs Road indicted for 2 counts of sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (roxicodone); 1 count of sale and delivery of a schedule IV controlled substance (xanax); and 4 counts of a drug free zone. His bond is $100,000. He will be arraigned in criminal court on December 11.

*18 year old Robert Stephen Derrick of Toad Road, Dowelltown indicted for 2 counts of sale and delivery of a schedule VI controlled substance (marijuana). His bond is $10,000. He will be arraigned December 11.

*53 year old Vincent Rodolphus Helser of Old Snow Hill Road Dowelltown indicted for 3 counts of sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (methamphetamine) and 2 counts of a drug free zone. He is under a $75,000 bond and will be arraigned December 11.

*53 year old Angela Louise Howell of Cecil Hale Road, Smithville is indicted for 4 counts of sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (methamphetamine) from drug buys and 1 count of sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (methamphetamine) on a search warrant the Sheriff’s Department executed on May 23, 2018 at Howell’s residence on Cecil Hale Road. Her bond is $200,000 and she will be arraigned December 11.

*40 year old Jessica Renee Owen of Twilla Lane, Smithville is indicted for 1 count of sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (roxicodone) and 2 counts of a drug free zone. She is under a $75,000 bond and will be arraigned December 11

*42 year old Tyrone Dewayne Owens of Shady Drive, Smithville is indicted for 2 counts of sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance  (methamphetamine). His bond is $50,000 and he will be arraigned December 11.

*66 year old Judy Ann Phillips of V.L. Wilson Loop, Smithville indicted for 2 counts of sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (morphine) and 4 counts of a drug free zone. Her bond is $50,000 and she will be arraigned December 11.

*39 year old Laurie Anne Southard of Circle Drive, Dowelltown is indicted for 2 counts of sale and delivery of a schedule IV controlled substance (xanax) . She is under a $25,000.00 bond and will be arraigned December 11.

*27 year old Damon Lee West of Laverne Street, Alexandria is indicted for 1 count of sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (methamphetamine) and 1 count of sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance  (oxycodone) . His bond is $50,000 and he will be arraigned December 11.

*29 year old Travis Eric Patterson of Toad Road, Dowelltown is indicted for 1 count of sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (cocaine); 3 counts of sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (methamphetamine); 1 count of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon; 1 count of burglary; 1 count of theft of property; and 1 count of vandalism. His bond is $350,000 and he will be arraigned December 11.

*35 year old James Skyler Miller of South 25^th Street New Castle Indiana is indicted for 2 counts of statutory rape. He allegedly had sex with a 16 year old in May and July 2017. Miller was 33 years old at that time. He is a registered sex offender in Indiana

*60 year old Richard Lee Franklin of Winter Drive, Dowelltown is indicted for 1 count of sale and delivery of a schedule III controlled substance (suboxone) . He is under a $25,000 bond and will be arraigned December 11.

*66 year old Melvin Leon Crips Sr. of Village Place, Smithville is indicted for 1 count of sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance  (roxicodone) and 2 counts of a drug free zone. His bond is $75,000 and he will be arraigned December 11

*25 year old Resha Nicole Martin of Kings Court Circle, Smithville is indicted for 2 counts of sale and delivery of a schedule III controlled substance (suboxone). Her bond is $25,000 and she will be arraigned in criminal court December 11.

Department activity as of 10/29/2018

A woman was arrested last week after she produced baggies of methamphetamine from her undergarments during a probation search. 23 year old Crystal May Smith of Andrew Street, Smithville is charged with simple possession of a schedule II drug. Her bond is $7,000 and she will make a court appearance on November 8. On Wednesday, October 24, a deputy went to a residence on Miller Road and spoke with Smith while attempting to serve a warrant. Smith, who is on probation, submitted to a search of her person and from her undergarments, she pulled two baggies of a crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine. The total weight of the substance was 0.3 grams. She also had in her possession a glass pipe containing residue. Smith had previously been cited twice in the past two weeks for possession of methamphetamine, once by a city officer October 9, and the other by this same county deputy on October 18.

26 year old Robert Glenn Judkins of Smithville is charged with criminal impersonation. His bond is $2,500 and he will make a court appearance on November 15. On Friday, October 26 a deputy responded to a littering complaint on Parsley Road and spotted the suspect vehicle, a black Nissan truck. The officer stopped and spoke with a passenger of the truck who identified himself as Lucas Bassham and gave his date of birth as December 13, 1987. Knowing that the man was actually Robert Judkins and learning that his date of birth is December 13, 1991, the officer charged Judkins for assuming a false identity.

50 year old Ricky Lynn Murphy of Ferrell Road, Smithville is charged with domestic assault. He is under a $2,500 bond and his court date is November 8. On Tuesday, October 9 a deputy was dispatched to a residence on Ferrell Road due to a domestic incident in progress. He spoke to the victim who reported that she and her husband, Murphy had been fighting but that Murphy had already left the scene prior to the officer’s arrival. The woman said Murphy pulled out a clump of her hair during the altercation but provided no further information. However the officer obtained statements from other witnesses at the scene who supported the victim’s account of what happened.

38 year old Jessie Comer Harris of Possum Hollow Road, Dowelltown is cited for simple possession of a schedule VI drug. His court date is December 6. On Monday, October 29 a deputy stopped a vehicle on East Main Street in Smithville due to a broken tail light. Harris, a passenger, submitted to a pat down search which revealed 0.3 grams of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana