It was a busy couple of weeks for DeKalb County deputies with several arrests made following Grand Jury sealed indictments, and even a high-speed car chase that ended in McMinnville after spike strips were deployed.
Sheriff Patrick Ray told the Smithville Review that on March 31, 41-year-old Anthony James Brandolino of Blackberry Hill Road, Silver Point, was arrested for evading arrest and aggravated assault. He is under a $25,000 bond and is due in court on April 18.
On March 30, a deputy responded to Blackberry Hill Road on a report of an aggravated assault. Upon arrival the deputy made contact with a female who advised that her husband, Brandolino, had pulled a handgun on her, placing her in fear of serious bodily injury and for her life. Brandolino fled the scene before law enforcement arrived and the woman was removed from the residence for her safety.
Later, as deputies were issuing a warrant for Brandolino’s arrest, Smithville Police spotted the man’s vehicle and began a pursuit. Both city officers and deputies were involved in the pursuit, which crossed the county line into Warren County, to the city of McMinnville.
There, on Harrison Ferry Mountain Road, Warren County authorities deployed spike strips, where the vehicle crashed shortly after. After a short standoff, Brandolino was placed under arrest.
The DeKalb County Grand Jury met last week and issued a few sealed indictments.
On March 26, 54-year-old Angela Joan Close of Carter Street, Smithville, was brought in on two counts of methamphetamine manufacture deliver sell or possess with intent. She is under a $100,000 bond and her court date is set for April 17.
The case was part of an undercover drug buy made by the sheriff’s department
That same day, three people were arrested on sealed indictments at the same address on various drug charges. Sheriff Ray said that 51-year-old Melissa Faye Murphy of Ferrell Road, Smithville, was arrested for possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and is under a $50,000 bond, while 34-year-old Cody Lynn Murphy was arrested for possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, schedule V drug manufacture deliver sell or possess, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is also under a $50,000 bond
Michaela Lynn Murphy, 33, was charged with schedule V drug manufacture deliver sell or possess, and possession of drug paraphernalia. She is under a $25,000 bond.
All were expected in court on April 1. The arrests come after a search warrant was issued for the residence, following a death at the home.
Also on March 26, 53-year-old Donnie Lee Ramsey of Gassaway Main Street, Liberty, was arrested on a sealed indictment on two counts of schedule VI drug manufacture deliver sell or possess. He is under a $75,000 bond and is due in court on April 17.
The indictment comes after a traffic stop in Liberty by a deputy.
In the Sheriff’s Department’s other news, on March 21, 24-year-old Lucas Robert Croom of Winger Lane, Smithville, was charged with introducing contraband into a penal institution. He is under a $7,500 bond and he is due in court on April 11.
Sheriff Ray said that on March 7, at or around 11:35 am, a corrections officer was booking Croom into the jail, when the officer found a clear baggy with a pink powdery substance, believed to be a narcotic, in the man’s wallet.
On March 25, 23-year-old Kristofer Ryan Barrett of Arrowhead Drive, Smithville, was charged with theft of property and aggravated burglary. He is under a $15,000 bond and will be in court on April 11.
Authorities allege that on March 22, Barrett entered a residence on Crestview Drive by forcing open the door, with the intent to commit a felony. Officials allege that Barrett took a Stihl chainsaw valued at $1,000. Sheriff’s detectives worked the case.
Also on March 25, 42-year-old Leonel Cortez of Nikki Lane, Smithville was charged with assault. He is under a $2,500 bond and he will be in court on April 11. Authorities allege that Cortez grabbed a woman’s waist and started kissing her neck without her consent. The assault allegedly occurred on Adcock Cemetery Road.
The following day, 29-year-old Brittany Ann Campbell who is listed as homeless, was charged with resisting arrest. She is under a $1,500 bond and she is set to appear in court on April 11.
A deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 1984 Ford Thunderbird for failing to maintain its lane of travel. After the vehicle stopped, the female passenger immediately exited the vehicle and attempted to walk away.
After stopping the woman, she was identified as Campbell, who then allegedly started running on foot. She was given verbal commands to stop, but the woman continued running on foot. After a short pursuit, Campbell was placed in custody. It was later discovered that the woman had two active warrants for her arrest out of White County.
On March 30, 40-year-old Jose Porfirio Orellana of Searey Street, Murfreesboro, was arrested for DUI first offense and reckless endangerment. He is under a $8,500 bond and is due in court on April 18.
A deputy was traveling west on Nashville Highway after a reckless driver was reported to E-911. While driving through a construction zone, the deputy noticed a silver Dodge Ram truck enter the deputy’s lane of travel heading east, almost striking the deputy’s patrol car.
The deputy conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle, when Orellana exited his vehicle. The deputy ordered the man to get back into his truck for his safety. Authorities say the man had red, watery eyes, slurred speech, was unsteady on his feet, and had a strong odor of alcohol coming from his person. He refused field sobriety tasks and was placed under arrest.
