The hot weather seems to have spurred on heated tempers in DeKalb County over the past few weeks, with several arrests involving domestic assaults and threats.
On June 10, 49-year-old Scott Galen Null of Golden Mountain Road, Sparta, was arrested for a violation of an order of protection. He is under a $3,500 bond and was in court on June 26.
According to DeKalb County Sheriff Patrick Ray, on or about May 29, 2025, Null contacted his daughter, to tell her mother, to drop an order of protection. The mother was reportedly riding in a vehicle with the daughter, as Null tried to get her to talk with him. He allegedly made threats to burn her car, her house, and to kill her, while attempting to talk to the woman.
That same day, 55-year-old Clarence Edward Sexton, Jr. of Cripps Lane, Smithville, was arrested for driving on a revoked driver’s license, second offense. He is under a $4,500 bond and he was in court on June 26.
Sheriff Ray said that a deputy was patrolling Midway Road, when he noticed Sexton operating a black Chevrolet Avalanche. Having prior knowledge of Sexton’s license being revoked, due to having given the man a warning approximately 30 minutes prior, and issuing a citation a couple of weeks prior for the same offense, the deputy made a traffic stop.
The deputy confirmed it was Sexton, and dispatch confirmed the revoked license, having a prior driving on revoked offense on May 17, 2017 in Putnam County. The man’s license had been revoked for a DUI in DeKalb County on February 24, 2017.
On June 13, 31-year-old Chauncy Langevine of East Broad Street, Smithville, was arrested for domestic assault, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest. He is under a $8,500 bond and was in court on June 26.
A deputy was dispatched to the area of McMinnville Highway for a reported rolling domestic dispute, headed towards Smithville, in a blue Ford truck and a black Nissan SUV.
The deputy made contact with both vehicles at the Smithville Police Department, where one driver advised she was driving on McMinnville Highway when Langevine appeared behind her, driving dangerously close and honking his horn and yelling at her. The victim stated that Langevine was trying to run her off the road, putting her in fear for her life.
While investigating the incident, Langevine allegedly engaged in violent and threatening behavior towards law enforcement in a public place. Authorities say the man was yelling and cursing at his girlfriend, and he was told by law enforcement to calm down and step away. The man allegedly responded by saying, “No. Y’all come near me, I’m going to knock your ass out.”
Due to his aggressive behavior and his loud cursing, he was placed under arrest. When told to stop and place his hands behind his back, he physically resisted but was quickly subdued.
Also that day, 39-year-old Clent Lee Shehane, a homeless man in Smithville, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, simple possession of a schedule III drug, simple possession of a schedule VI drug marijuana, methamphetamine manufacture deliver sell or possess,
He is under a $50,000 bond and he was in court on June 26.
A deputy was patrolling Midway Road when he conducted a traffic stop on a silver Chevy HHR. The deputy made contact with multiple individuals, one of them being Shehane in the front passenger seat.
After speaking to Shehane, and getting consent to search his backpack, two black scales, one of them having a crystal-like substance believed to be meth, weighing 5.11 grams. Also located in the passenger floorboard was a black bag containing a clear plastic bag with one peach-colored pill believed to be Buprenorphine, along with a bag containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana with a weight of 1.47 grams.
After reading Shehane his rights, authorities allegedly admitted the drugs were his.
On June 14, 45-year-old Jessie Comer Harris, a homeless man in Smithville, was arrested for introduction of contraband into a penal institution. He is under a $7,500 bond and was in court on June 26.
A correctional officer at the DeKalb County Jail was performing his hourly checks when he came across Harris in the holding tank with something in his left sock. After being given a command to remove his sock, the officer found a clear baggy with a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana weighing 1.6 grams.
On June 15, 21-year-old Harley Lynn Wheeler of East Bryant Street, Smithville, was arrested for aggravated assault, leaving the scene of an accident, domestic assault, driving on a revoked license, and evading arrest. He is under an $18,500 bond and was in court on June 26.
Sheriff Ray reported that a deputy was dispatched to Eagle Creek Road for a report of an unwanted guest. The deputy made contact with multiple people at the scene, with a woman stating that her boyfriend, Wheeler, called her allegedly stating that, “she was going to get what was coming to her if she did not let him see his daughter.” The victims alleged that Wheeler stated he had a crowbar and that he would take the kid away from her, placing the woman in fear for her safety.
The victims stated that Wheeler drove to the residence on Eagle Creek Road, drove through the yard while attempting to run over the woman, and struck a mailbox. Wheeler then left the scene.
While authorities were on the scene, Wheeler was observed driving on Pine Grove Road. After seeing law enforcement, Wheeler allegedly left his truck in the middle of the road and took off on foot, running through several yards and into the woods.
Authorities say that during a search of Wheeler’s truck, his ID, a crowbar, and an ax were found. After running his information through dispatch, his license came back as revoked.
On June 17, 36-year-old Gene Douglas Cunningham of Phelps Road, Sparta, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, and cited for no insurance and driving an unregistered vehicle. He is under a $7,500 bond and he is due in court on July 10.
Sheriff Ray said that a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a green Ford Escort for having a suspended registration. The deputy made contact with the driver, Cunningham, and after consent to search located an orange pill bottle in the glovebox that contained 30 pills believed to be Gabapentin.
On June 20, 19-year-old Summer Haven Waters Pedigo of John Linsey Road, Silver Point, was arrested for underaged consumption of alcohol and domestic assault. She is under a $2,500 bond and she is due in court July 3.
A deputy was dispatched to John Linsey Road for a report of a domestic. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with the victims who stated that their daughter, Pedigo, had consumed alcohol without their knowledge and was being aggressive. The father did show a bite mark on his left arm he received while trying to restrain his daughter.
On June 22, 44-year-old David Allen Sullivan of Kendra Drive, Smithville, was arrested as a fugitive from justice. He is under a $50,000 bond and will be in court on July 10.
Sheriff Ray said that it was confirmed that Sullivan had an out-of-state warrant out of Albany, KY, and that they would extradite.
Also that day, 37-year-old Charles Ryan Riedley of Wildwood Road, Smithville, was arrested for public intoxication. He is under a $1,500 bond and will be in court on July 10.
A deputy was dispatched to Nashville Highway in reference to an unwanted guest. The deputy made contact with Riedley, who was walking around inside an enclosed gate at the Outpost Furniture Store on Nashville Highway.
Riedley allegedly told deputies that he was on meth and that he wanted to take a 15-year-old kid who resides on Nashville Highway. The owners advised that they felt in danger with Riedley beating on the windows and door, demanding to see the 15-year-old. The man then began walking down Nashville Highway where he was found outside the store.
