The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department had a busy week, making several arrests including charges of assault and a fugitive from justice warrant.
Sheriff Patrick Ray told the Smithville Review that 52-year-old Michael Steven Conners of Possum Hollow Road, Dowelltown, was charged with aggravated assault and is under a $10,000 bond. He appeared in court on April 28.
On April 13, authorities say a deputy was dispatched to a possible domestic assault call and when he made contact with the caller, the victim stated that she had been assaulted by her husband, Conners. The victim stated that she was struck multiple times on the head and face, and authorities say the woman had signs of physical abuse. The victim also alleged that she was struck in the head with a broom and that a knife was thrown at her person.
Conners had left the scene prior to the deputy’s arrival, but he was later placed in custody.
On April 23, 50-year-old David Eugene Driver of Arrowhead Drive, Smithville, was charged with driving on a revoked driver’s license, 7th offense. He is under a $3,500 bond and he is due in court on May 12.
Sheriff Ray said that a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a gray primed Chevy S10 with an obstruction over the tag, which made it unreadable. Upon making contact with Driver, the deputy had prior knowledge that the man’s license had been revoked. He was also cited for no insurance and display of license plate.
On April 25, 29-year-old Austin Duane Sigler of Tabernacle Road, Smithville, was arrested for unlawful possession of a weapon. He is under a $5,000 bond and is due in court on May 19.
On March 15, 2022, Sigler made an official report on a theft to a deputy at the Sheriff’s Department, with a list of items including a 9 mm Beretta handgun valued at $800. According to Sheriff Ray, Sigler is a convicted felon and is not legally allowed to possess a firearm. The report was signed by Sigler, stating that what was on the report was true and correct.
That same day, 39-year-old David Brian Martin of Indian Trails, Sparta was arrested for scheduled VI drug with the intent to sell or deliver. He is under a $5,000 bond and will appear in court on May 12.
Sheriff Ray said that a deputy conducted a traffic stop for failure to give a signal. The deputy made contact with Martin and gained consent to search his vehicle. Deputies discovered 4.25 ounces of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana was located in a gift bag in the back seat.
On April 29, 40-year-old Joshua Leslie Johnson of Hendrixson Road, Smithville was charged with criminal impersonation. He is under a $3,500 bond and is due in court on May 19.
Authorities say that a deputy made contact with Johnson on Cookeville Highway while searching for another subject with active warrants. The deputy asked Johnson for his name and date of birth, which the man said was John Johnson with a date of birth of December 7, but could not remember the year. His real name was revealed to be Joshua Leslie Johnson.
That same day, 32-year-old Blake Johnathon McHone of West Broad Street, Smithville, was arrested on a fugitive from justice warrant. He is under a $75,000 bond and is to appear in court on May 19.
McHone was arrested on April 28 and a NCIC check revealed that he was wanted in Greenville, South Carolina. The authorities in South Carolina confirmed that they would extradite McHone.
On May 1, 42-year-old Abigail Vogel of South College Street, Smithville, was charged for introducing contraband into a penal institution. She is under a $5,000 bond on the charge and she is to appear in court on May 19.
A correctional officer was supervising inmates cleaning the grounds of the DeKalb County Jail, when he allegedly observed a female, which he knew as Vogel, throw an object towards an inmate who was mowing. The officer retrieved the item, which was found to be a half bottle of Jim Beam whiskey.
