The man accused of locking a victim in a shed and later trying to set a house on fire was sentenced last week in DeKalb Criminal Court. Authorities say that 28-year-old Michael Brady McGhee of 335 Jennings Lane, Smithville, was charged with arson and false imprisonment stemming from an incident last year.
Police said that on July 20, 2020, McGhee committed the offense of false imprisonment by asking the victim to go into a shed at the back of a residence at 599 Pack Circle. While they were in the shed, McGhee ran out the door, shut and locked it with a master lock, and wouldn’t let the victim out. The victim had to use a car battery in the shed to break out a window to escape.
On July 29, 2020 police say McGhee intentionally set three fires at the house, one fire was set in the kitchen floor, one set on top of the kitchen table, and another set in the living room of the home.
McGhee was sentenced to three years to serve at least 30 percent, plus restitution. He has been given 480 days credit served.
In other Criminal Court news, Michael A. Ponder, 43, was facing charges of methamphetamine manufacture, deliver, or sell with intent, possession of a handgun while under the influence, DUI first offense, and implied consent, simple possession, and driving while in possession of meth.
Ponder pled guilty to attempted methamphetamine manufacture, deliver, or sell with intent, and was sentenced to six years suspended to time served, with the remainder on supervised probation. All other counts were dismissed.
Tommy Wade, 44, was charged with possession of a schedule II drug meth, over .5 grams, with intent to sell or deliver. He pled guilty to the charge and was sentenced to eight years suspended to supervised probation, and a $2,000 fine. The sentence will run concurrent to a sentence in Smith County.
Fred Dowell was facing charges of possession of meth over .5 grams with intent to sell or deliver, and possession with intent to sell or deliver Fentanyl. He pled guilty to the meth charge and received eight years suspended to supervised probation, and a $2,000 fine.
Christopher Gene Burchett, 44, was facing a charge of reckless endangerment. He pled guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 11 months, 29 days, suspended to supervised probation.
Angela Q. Tubbs, 54, was charged with DUI first offense. She pled guilty in the case and was sentenced to 11 months, 29 days, suspended to supervised probation, except 48 hours to serve in a DUI rehabilitation center.
Travis Jenkins, 30, was charged with possession of meth over .5 grams with intent to sell or deliver. He pled guilty to attempted possession over .5 grams with intent, and was sentenced to four years to serve at 30 percent, a $2,000 fine plus court costs.
