A man charged with rape for an incident that occurred on July 26, 2016, has pled guilty to the lesser charge of aggravated assault in DeKalb Criminal Court last Thursday.
Authorities say that 69-year-old Walter Kenneth Tubbs is facing a five-year sentence, with 30 percent to serve, but the sentence will handed down at a later sentencing hearing. Tubbs could receive judicial diversion in the case.
According to an arrest warrant obtained by the Review, then 64-year-old Walter Kenneth Tubbs was accused of raping a woman at her Smith Road home on July 26, 2016. The warrant alleged that Tubbs began rubbing the woman’s breast, at which time he was told to stop. He then allegedly used force to remove the woman’s pants and underwear and had sex with her against her will. The woman was reportedly telling Tubbs to stop what he was doing or she would scream while the incident took place.
After the incident Tubbs reportedly apologized and pleaded for the woman not to press charges, also calling family members and apologizing to them for what he had done. He was later arrested at his home in Murfreesboro.
Also on Thursday, Micah Daniel Murphy, 47, pled guilty to DUI first offense, and was sentenced to 11 months and 29 days suspended, 48 hours to serve with five hours credit. He must also participate in a MADD Victim Impact Panel, pay a $360 fine, and attend DUI school. He has also lost his driver’s license for one year.
Terri Lynn Poss, 37, pled guilty to reckless endangerment from an incident that occurred on April 13, 2019, where Smithville Police said she was spotted throwing a beer bottle out of a car window. She received 11 months and 29 days suspended to supervised probation, no fine, plus court costs.
On November 8, 24-year-old Braxton Kain Bennett pled guilty to a charge of possession of a handgun by a convicted violent felon. He was sentenced to two years to serve, consecutive with a sentence out of Warren County, but concurrent with a sentence out of Putnam County. He may furlough to a long-tern treatment by separate order.