The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department responded to two separate cases last week where a vehicle was used to damage property and threaten safety.
Sheriff Patrick Ray told the Smithville Review that 29-year-old Vanessa Renee Poss of Old West Point Road, Smithville, was arrested on May 17, 2021, for domestic assault after the woman knowingly and intentionally assaulted her husband by throwing a metal flower pot and striking him in the right hand and cutting him.
A deputy responded to the couple’s residence and spoke to the husband who also told that Poss kicked out the windows of the residence, and rammed her vehicle into his vehicle, which was parked on the lawn. The deputy reported that Poss admitted to the allegations.
She is under a $10,000 bond and is due to appear in court on June 3.
On May 20, a similar incident occurred at Kings Court Trailer Park in Smithville. Sheriff Ray said that 34-year-old Phillip Andrew Martin was arrested for aggravated assault after a deputy responded to the DeKalb County Jail to speak with a female.
The woman stated that on May 19, herself and her husband, Phillip Martin, had gotten into an argument that resulted in Martin ramming his vehicle into the woman’s vehicle. She stated that she was in the vehicle at the time and once she got out, Martin continued to ram the vehicle, putting the woman in fear for her life.
Martin is under a $25,000 bond and is due in court on June 3.
On May 18, a fugitive was arrested, wanted for child abuse, assault on an officer, disturbing the peace, assault, and resisting arrest.
Sheriff Ray said that 32-year-old Trenton Thomas Pedigo of Nashville Highway, Dowelltown, was placed in custody after deputy made contact with Pedigo. Central dispatch ran his name through NCIC and confirmed he had warrants out of Sarpy County, Nebraska.
He is under a $50,000 bond and due in court on May 27.
A search warrant landed a Smithville woman in jail after drugs were found at her residence. Sheriff Ray said that on May 18, 33-year-old Molly Sue Lawrence of Page Drive, Smithville, was charged with methamphetamine manufacture deliver sell or possess, and possession of a controlled substance Schedule I drug – heroin for sell and delivery.
Authorities say that a detective, along with Sheriff Ray and other officers, executed a search warrant at 354 Page Drive in Smithville, where Lawrence was a resident. She was found in the main bedroom, and, while a search was conducted, she pulled a white container that had three baggies inside, and a large quantity of cash, out of her bra. Sheriff Ray said that two baggies had a gray colored powder, while the other was white, all were believed to be heroin, with a total weight of 3 grams.
There were also other baggies containing a white powdered substance found on the night stand beside her, also believed to be heroin, with an estimated weight of .1 grams. There a bag of a crystal like substance found in the trash can beside the bed as well, believed to be methamphetamines, with an estimated weight of 1 gram. Syringes, pipes, a large quantity of baggies, scales, and other paraphernalia were also located throughout the bedroom.
Lawrence is under a $50,000 total bond and is due to appear in court on June 24.
A driveway burglar was nabbed last week after a homeowner hear and saw a man rummaging through her truck. Sheriff Ray said that on May 21, 51-year-old Billy Eugene Cook of Floyd Drive, Smithville, was charged with burglary.
A deputy responded to Mountain View Drive in reference to a burglary call, and upon arrival, the deputy spoke with a male and a female subject. The woman advised that she had heard a car door, and when she looked off her porch, she saw Billy Cook in their Dodge pickup truck looking around. Authorities allege that Cook did enter the truck with the intent to commit the act of theft.
Cook is under a $10,000 bond due to appear in court June 24.
Sheriff Ray said that 58-year-old Pamela Palmateer of Pumpkin Hollow Road, Liberty, was arrested on May 21, on domestic assault charges. He is under a $7,500 bond and is due in court on June 17.
Authorities say that a deputy responded to Pumpkin Hollow Road for a domestic violence call. Upon his arrival, the deputy made contact with a man who advised that his girlfriend, Palmateer, began striking him on his head and pulling his hair during an argument. The man also had video proof, dated and time stamped, of the incident. Palmateer had injuries to her right hand and reportedly admitted to striking the man.
A 79-year-old Smithville woman was arrested last week after authorities say she tried to smuggle a controlled substance into the DeKalb County Jail. Sheriff Ray said that Sarah Opal Atnip of Shady Drive, was placed into custody on May 22. She is charged with contraband into a penal institution.
Atnip was brought in on an active warrant for failure to appear, and upon a search of the woman by a female correctional officer, authorities say that a baggy containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana was found on Atnip’s person. Atnip reportedly stated to the correctional officer that it was “weed.”
Atnip is under a $5,000 bond and due to appear in court June 10.
An altercation by the side of the road landed two people in jail last week. Sheriff Ray said that on May 23, a deputy was traveling east in the area of Sparta Highway when he noticed a female, 41-year-old Kimberly Diane Smith, sitting on the ground near the roadway, bleeding. The deputy reported that standing over the woman was 46-year-old Frank Stanley Smith of Sherwood Circle, Smithville, and when the deputy stopped to investigate, Mr. Smith took off in a white Nissan Titan.
The deputy radioed in another deputy, who conducted a traffic stop on Smith’s vehicle. Once pulled over, a NCIC check revealed an active order of protection out of Warren County, against Frank Smith from being in contact with the female victim.
Smith reportedly admitted to law enforcement that he had brought the woman to a bar and was aware of the order of protection. He was charged with violation of an order of protection and is under a $5,000 bond. He is due to appear in court on June 17.
Kimberly Smith was also arrested and charged with public intoxication. Authorities say that after giving her several chances, and finding her safe transportation, Smith refused to leave the scene. She stated that she was going to walk, but due to her intoxicated state, and for her safety, Smith was placed in custody.
She is under a $1,500 bond and is set to appear in court on June 17.
Sheriff Ray said that 24-year-old Braxton Cain Bennett of Smith Road, Smithville, was arrested on May 23, for methamphetamine manufacture deliver sell or possess.
Authorities say that a deputy went to a residence on Cleveland Way in an attempt to locate a wanted subject out of Smith County. Upon arrival the deputy observed Bennett in the front of the house, and the deputy had prior knowledge of the man having active warrants from DeKalb County.
He was placed into custody and a search revealed, inside his wallet, a white crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine weighing .12 grams.
Bennett is under a $2,000 bond and is set to appear in court on June 17.
