The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department made four arrests last week, but each man garnered some pretty serious charges.

According to Sheriff Patrick Ray, 44-year-old Ricky Allen Ashford II of East Main Street, Liberty, was arrested on September 26, for possession of drug paraphernalia, driving on a suspended license, resisting arrest, evading arrest, and unlawful possession of a weapon.

A deputy was patrolling Midway Road when he noticed a blue Chevy S10 being driven by Ashford. The deputy had prior knowledge of Ashford’s driver’s license being suspended and attempted to pull over the truck, but Ashford refused to stop.

The deputy reported that Ashford passed several driveways during a short pursuit, then pulled into a driveway on The Loop Circle, where he exited the vehicle and started to walk away with a black handgun in his right hand. The deputy allegedly ordered the man to stop multiple times, but he refused. After another deputy arrived at the scene, Ashford was taken into custody.

The gun was later identified as a loaded Taurus 247 .40 caliber Smith and Wesson. A loaded gun magazine was also found, as well as two small baggies with ammunition inside. One bag had eight .40 caliber Smith and Wesson rounds, and the other had seven rounds. A gun box with a matching serial number was also found in the vehicle.

After consenting to a search of the vehicle, a scale with a white powdery residue was discovered. It was also confirmed through dispatch that Ashford’s license had been suspended with a prior offense on September 21, 2023.

Ashford is a convicted felon for aggravated burglary in Morgan County on May 29, 2008. He is under a $35,000 bond and is set to appear in court on October 12.

On September 30, 38-year-old Eric Wayne Tramel of Church Street, Alexandria, was charged with methamphetamine manufacture deliver sell or possess, simple possession of a schedule III drug, resisting arrest, and violation of probation. He is due in court on October 19, and is under a $26,000 total bond.

Sheriff Ray said that a deputy was on patrol when he noticed Tramel standing in the front yard of a residence. The deputy had prior knowledge of an active warrant out for Tramel’s arrest and stopped at the home.

After seeing the deputy, Tramel allegedly turned and took off running on foot. The deputy ordered him to stop multiple times, but the man refused to stop.

He was eventually taken into custody and a search revealed a can with a green baggy inside, containing .45 grams of a crystal-like substance believed to be meth. An orange pill, believed to be Suboxone was also discovered in his possession.

That same day, 21-year-old Jacob Daniel Martin Williams of Moore Taylor Road, Smithville, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, methamphetamine manufacture deliver sell or possess, and possession of a firearm during a felony. He is under a $80,000 total bond and he will be in court on October 19.

A deputy responded to Sparta Highway in reference to someone possibly being in possession of an explosive device, which was called in by the Gallatin Police Department.

The deputy made contact with Williams, who gave consent to search his vehicle. A search was conducted and a plastic sandwich bag was discovered with a clear crystal-like substance weighing 3.84 grams, as well as a set of scales and three straws, all with a white residue on them. Also found in the vehicle was a Masterpiece Arms 9 mm, a Taurus GX4 9 mm, and a Savage 64 .22 rifle.

On October 1, 21-year-old Tanner Cole Myers of Dry Creek Road, Dowelltown, was arrested for DUI first offense, and possession of a handgun under the influence. He is under a $5,000 bond and is due in court on October 19

A deputy responded to Nashville Highway, at DeKalb Market, on a report of a male subject passed out behind the wheel of his vehicle. The deputy located the vehicle, a white Mercedes with a man slumped over the wheel, behind the building. Authorities say the vehicle was running and was still in drive.

The deputy asked Myers to step out of the vehicle and reported that the man had red, glassy eyes, and had an odor of alcohol coming from his person. Myers reportedly also performed poorly on field sobriety tasks.

Myers told deputies that he has a Sig P320 9 mm handgun in his front passenger seat. He was then placed in custody.