Jason Duane Madewell, 38, of Ferrell Road, Smithville entered a plea in criminal court to possession of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) over 0.5 grams for sale, a class-B felony, and received an eight-year sentence to serve, concurrent with a Warren County case. He was given 206 days jail credit and was also fined $2,000.
On March 7, 2023, a sheriff’s department deputy was patrolling when he noticed a man acting strangely at Mapco. The man, Madewell, was unsteady on his feet, unable to focus on conversation, sweating profusely and seemingly under the influence of a controlled substance. When the deputy asked if he could search his person, Madewell admitted that he had meth in his pocket. He also said he had consumed some three hours earlier. When the meth in his pocket was weighed, it weighed 16.1 grams container weight.
Sonni Michael Fullilove, 29, of Keltonburg Road, Smithville, pled guilty to sale of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) over 0.5 grams and received an eight-year TDOC sentence, suspended to supervised probation as a range I offender. He was fined $2,000 and given 34 days jail credit.
Kaleigha Arnold, 36, of Black Road, Springfield, TN, pled guilty to two counts of evading arrest, receiving one year all suspended to supervised probation, and one count of promotion to manufacture methamphetamine, receiving four years all suspended to supervised probation except one year to serve. The sentences are to run concurrent with each other and with a case in White County. She was also fined $2,000.
Authorities say that on May 6, a deputy was traveling east on Highway 70, when he observed a silver Honda Pilot failing to maintain its lane of travel. The deputy ran the tag through Central Dispatch, who confirmed the vehicle to be stolen out of Smithville.
The deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop of the vehicle, but the SUV failed to stop. Authorities pursued the vehicle down Highway 70 with the car almost striking multiple vehicles. The chase continued into White County, where White County deputies deployed spike strips at Old Kentucky Road.
Despite the SUV running over the spike strips, the vehicle continued east where Arnold rammed two White County vehicles before authorities were able to stop the car. Arnold was extracted from the vehicle and detained.
Arnold allegedly admitted to stealing the Pilot, along with taking heroin two hours prior to driving and being in possession of narcotics and paraphernalia. A search of the vehicle was conducted and a black, zip-up bag was found containing a glass Mason jar, with used brown paper towels, moisture, clear tubing, and a glass beaker wrapped in electrical tape. Coffee filters were found in the pocket of the bag, as well as red phosphorus and multiple matchbooks. All items were consistent with the production of methamphetamines.
Arnold has two prior convictions of simple possession by the THP and 23rd District Drug Task Force. Her license had also been suspended in Robertson County for failure to satisfy fines.
One of three people arrested in a drug bust less than a month ago by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department has already been sentenced in DeKalb County Criminal Court.
Ja’merrin Jameze Turner, 20, of Lebanon pled to possession with intent to sell or deliver a schedule V drug (Gabapentin). He received a two-year Tennessee Department of Corrections sentence suspended to supervised probation with time served. He was fined $2,000 and given 21 days jail credit.
On September 7, a detective and other members of the sheriff’s department executed a search warrant at 200 the Loop Circle, Smithville. During the search, officers found 23 white pills believed to be Gabapentin, a small amount of a green leafy substance thought to be marijuana, numerous baggies, and other baggies with a crystal-like substance and powder residue, scales, pipes, syringes, and other drug paraphernalia.
Cases against two co-defendants with Turner, 27-year-old Zachary Jacob Poss of the Loop Circle, and 25-year-old Courtney Brooke Shrum of the Loop Circle are still pending in court.
