The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department made several arrests over the past few weeks, including those for drugs, assaults, and even a wanted man.
On May 12, 37-year-old Karri Margaret Jewell of Page Drive was arrested for fabricating or tampering with evidence. She is under a $7,500 bond and she was in court May 29.
DeKalb County Sheriff Patrick Ray said that a deputy was transporting Jewell to the sheriff’s office after placing her in custody on an active warrant. As Jewell exited the patrol car at the sally port of the jail, the deputy observed a ripped clear plastic baggie in the floorboard of the vehicle. A female correctional officer searched Jewell and found inside of Jewell’s shorts pocket, the other part of the clear plastic baggie with residue.
Jewell allegedly stated that she kept her meth pipe in the baggie and that there used to be meth inside of it. A review of the car’s dash cam video footage revealed Jewell in the back seat and during the transport she placed something in her mouth.
On May 16, 53-year-old Bobby Shawn Haney of Page Drive was arrested for burglary and three counts of fraudulent use of a credit card. He is under a $15,500 bond and was in court May 29.
Sheriff Ray said that on May 11 Haney allegedly broke into a vehicle on Midway Road and stole a wallet which held a driver license, social security card, insurance card, $40 cash, and a Region’s debit card. The wallet and card contents were valued at $60.
On the same day Haney used the debit card at several businesses to make fraudulent purchases, including at Smithville Wine & Spirits for $71.32, DeKalb Market for $62.20, and at Walmart for $259.87. The case was investigated by a detective.
On May 19, 56-year-old Jeffery Lee Bates of Old West Point Road, Smithville was arrested for public intoxication. He is under a $2,000 and will be in court June 6.
Sheriff Ray said that a deputy was dispatched to Sparta Highway for a welfare check on a man who was observed swaying on the side of the roadway. Upon arrival the deputy made contact with Bates walking down the road. The deputy spoke to the man who reportedly smelled of alcohol. Bates admitted to having consumed two to three beers at a bar, and for his safety and that of the public he was placed under arrest.
On May 20, 30-year-old James Dillan Matthews of Page Drive, Smithville was arrested for theft of property. He is under a $5,000 bond and his court date is June 5.
Sheriff Ray reported that on May 4 Matthews stole a Predator generator valued at $1,299 from a residence on McMinnville Highway and then sold it. The generator has not been recovered. The case was investigated by a detective.
On May 21, 42-year-old Justin Keith Liggett of Douglas Avenue, Smithville was arrested for aggravated assault. He is under an $8,000 bond and was in court May 29.
Sheriff Ray said that on May 20 a deputy responded to Pumpkin Hollow Road due to a break in call. The homeowner reported that Liggett had grabbed her by the neck and squeezed, restricting her airway. Liggett had left the residence before the deputy’s arrival. He was later arrested.
Also that day, 62-year-old Elizabeth Bryson Shelton of Shiloh Lane, Smithville was arrested for forgery. She is under a $5,000 bond and her court date is June 5.
Sheriff Ray said that on or about April 17 Shelton forged a name on an automotive title and boat registration and passed them at the DeKalb County Clerk’s office. The case was investigated by a detective.
On May 22, 39-year-old Brittany Ledell Henry of Cookeville was arrested for public intoxication. Her bond is $2,000 and she will be in court June 5.
Sheriff Ray said that a deputy was dispatched to the area of Allen Ferry Road and Holmes Creek Road to conduct a welfare check on a woman who was seen holding a stop sign. The deputy made contact with Henry on Holmes Creek carrying the sign.
The deputy reported that Henry smelled of alcohol, and she allegedly admitted to consuming shots of vodka earlier. Authorities say her behavior was erratic, and for the safety of the public and herself, she was placed in custody. A bottle of Taaka vodka was then found in the back waistband of her shorts with her shirt covering the bottle.
On May 23, 52-year-old Melisha Renne “Buttons” Martin of Cooper Avenue, Smithville was arrested for possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver; possession of another controlled substance (acid) with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver; possession of yet another controlled substance (ketamine) with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver; and possession of drug paraphernalia. She is under a $93,000 bond and her court date is June 5.
Sheriff Ray said that on April 30 a deputy assisted officers with the Tennessee Department of Probation and Parole on a parole search at Martin’s home. Inside a wooden tote the officers found a pink canister, and found inside a clear crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine that weighed 0.22 grams, three stamped style materials believed to be acid, and a clear baggie containing a crystal-like substance thought to be ketamine that weighed 1.22 grams. The search also revealed a scale with residue, two spoons with burn marks, baggies with white residue inside, and several straws containing white residue.
Also that day, 33-year-old Robert Justin Burkholder of South College Street, Smithville was arrested for being a fugitive from justice. He is under a $50,000 bond and he will be in court June 5.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that a deputy responded to Johnson’s Chapel Road for a verbal altercation and spoke with one of the parties, Burkholder. After a background check, it was learned that Burkholder was wanted in Polk County Florida for fraudulent use of a credit card, fraudulent use of personal ID, and theft. Florida authorities plan to extradite Burkholder.
On May 24, 18-year-old Jahaziel Desena Santiago of West Broad Street, Smithville was arrested for underage driving while impaired. His bond is $2,500 and he will be in court June 12.
Sheriff Ray said that a deputy was dispatched to Short Mountain Highway due to a possible DUI. The deputy made contact with a vehicle which had left Lee Braswell Road and had driven through the yard of a residence.
He stopped the vehicle and spoke with the driver, Santiago, who was unsteady on his feet, had bloodshot and watery eyes, slurred speech, and he smelled of alcohol. Santiago also refused to submit to field sobriety tasks. He was then placed in custody.
