The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department made several arrests over the last couple of weeks, in connections with many local burglaries, vandalisms, and assaults. One case involved a homeless man charged in a slew of break-ins and thefts.

Sheriff Patrick Ray told the Smithville Review that on December 22, 36-year-old Matthew Dewayne Griffith of Short Mountain Road, Smithville, was arrested for vandalism over $1,000 and driving on a suspended driver’s license. He is under a $15,000 bond and he is due in court on January 13.

Sheriff Ray said that a detective, who had prior knowledge that Griffith had a suspended driver’s license, witnessed driving a vehicle on Nashville Highway at E.H. Hass Road.

The department had also been investigating Griffith in a vandalism case. On August 18, 2021, vandalized a church on Old Snow Hill Road by spray painting “Stop Loaning Your Church Out” on the side of the building. Also, a note was also left on the door which stated, “Be a Real Shame to Lose Your Church Because of Terrorists”. The total amount to repair the vandalism was $1,010.

A 44-year-old homeless man is facing several charges in connection with a rash of burglaries in the area. He was arrested on December 26 on multiple charges, including Grand Jury charges of escape and theft of property.

According to Sheriff Ray, on December 13, while in route to a call for service a deputy observed a vehicle with a man driving who appeared to be Wilson. Having knowledge of Wilson being wanted on felony warrants, the officer turned around to perform a traffic stop, but Wilson allegedly fled. The deputy made contact with the vehicle at a residence on Smith Road, where Wilson then jumped from the vehicle and fled on foot. While performing a registration check, the officer learned that the vehicle, a Chevrolet Caprice, was reported stolen in Putnam County.

On December 20, Wilson entered a residence on Shady Drive with the intent to commit a felony while the homeowner was at home.

On December 21 authorities say that Wilson stole a 2011 Chevrolet E25 van valued at $10,000. It was stolen from a location on Short Mountain Highway.

On December 23, Wilson allegedly stole a 2021 Can Am Maverick Side By Side valued at $28,000. It was stolen from a location on Big Hurricane Road. He also allegedly stole several items from a truck on Big Hurricane Road including an iPhone7, USB link, Shop Vac among other things with a total value of $1,464.

That same day, Wilson allegedly broke into a 2018 International Box Truck with the intent to commit a theft.

On December 24, another deputy was on Old Mill Hill Road when he noticed a black and blue Can Am Maverick, Side by Side, matching the description of the one reported stolen. When the Can Am was on New Home Road the deputy activated his emergency lights and the Side by Side fled, exceeding speeds over 67 miles per hour. After an investigation it was determined that the driver was Wilson.

On December 25 Wilson stole two Mechanic Choice wrenches and a roll of shop towels, with a total value of $17.50, from a location on Short Mountain Highway. Wilson also attempted to steal a 1998 GMC 3500 which held toolboxes, and air compressor and a welder with a total value of $15,000. Wilson also attempted to enter an outbuilding on the property.

Wilson is under a total $217,500, bond and is due to appear in court on January 13.

On Christmas day, 42-year-old Benjamin Theodore Taylor of Lee Braswell Road was arrested for domestic assault. He is under a $7,500 bond and will appear in court on January 13.

According to Sheriff Ray, the Captain of the Sheriff’s Department was pulling in to D & D Market on Short Mountain Highway when he witnessed Taylor hitting a woman in the face with his hands. The assault was also captured on video surveillance from the store.

On December 27, 40-year-old Scotty Brian Heard of Chestnut Ridge Road, Spring City, TN, was charged with driving on a revoked license (8th offense) and possession of methamphetamine manufacture, sell, deliver, or possess. He was also cited for running a stop sign, no insurance, littering, and carrying a prohibited weapon.

Sheriff Ray said that a deputy performed a traffic stop on Heard for failing to stop at a stop sign. It was found that his license status had been revoked since November of 2000 for failure to satisfy fines and cost.

The officer also noticed Heard toss a small bag out of the car window, which was found to contain 0.58 grams of a crystal-clear substance believed to be meth. During a pat down search, the deputy also found a pair of “knucks” (brass knuckles).

He is under a $17,500 bond and he will be in court January 13.

On December 29, 40-year-old James Robert Jones of Old Smithville Road, McMinnville, was charged with theft of property over $1,000, aggravated burglary, and two counts of burglary. He is under a $70,000 bond will be in court January 13.

Sheriff Ray said that on December 21 Jones entered residence, an outbuilding, and a garage on Old Mill Hill Road, Dowelltown, with the intent to commit a theft.  Jones allegedly stole several items including multiple tools, toolboxes, miscellaneous ammunition, arrowheads, and several other items. The items totaled $6,220 in value. Most of those items have been recovered. DeKalb detectives were in charge of the investigation.

On December 30, 47-year-old Autumn Danielle White of Pea Ridge Road, Liberty, was charged with resist stop frisk halt search or arrest. Her bond is $3,000 and she will be in court January 13.

Sheriff Ray said a deputy tried to serve White with outstanding warrants out of Rutherford County. After being advised to stop, White allegedly ran into a house and attempted to evade law enforcement.

On December 31, 32-year-old Nathan Joshua Jedlicka of Cookeville was arrested for driving under the influence. He is under a $2,500 bond and will appear in court on January 20.

A deputy was responded to Highway 70 East (Sparta Highway) for a report of a reckless driver. The deputy spotted the vehicle heading west, and crossing over the middle line, into the turning lane.

The deputy initiated a traffic stop, and while speaking with the driver, Jedlicka, the deputy observed his pupils to be constricted and his eyes watery and bloodshot. Jelicka submitted to a field sobriety tasks, which he performed poorly. Intoxicants and paraphernalia were also found in the vehicle. 

by Chris Tramel

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department made several arrests over the last couple of weeks, in connections with many local burglaries, vandalisms, and assaults. One case involved a homeless man charged in a slew of break-ins and thefts.

Sheriff Patrick Ray told the Smithville Review that on December 22, 36-year-old Matthew Dewayne Griffith of Short Mountain Road, Smithville, was arrested for vandalism over $1,000 and driving on a suspended driver’s license. He is under a $15,000 bond and he is due in court on January 13.

Sheriff Ray said that a detective, who had prior knowledge that Griffith had a suspended driver’s license, witnessed driving a vehicle on Nashville Highway at E.H. Hass Road.

The department had also been investigating Griffith in a vandalism case. On August 18, 2021, vandalized a church on Old Snow Hill Road by spray painting “Stop Loaning Your Church Out” on the side of the building. Also, a note was also left on the door which stated, “Be a Real Shame to Lose Your Church Because of Terrorists”. The total amount to repair the vandalism was $1,010.

A 44-year-old homeless man is facing several charges in connection with a rash of burglaries in the area. He was arrested on December 26 on multiple charges, including Grand Jury charges of escape and theft of property.

According to Sheriff Ray, on December 13, while in route to a call for service a deputy observed a vehicle with a man driving who appeared to be Wilson. Having knowledge of Wilson being wanted on felony warrants, the officer turned around to perform a traffic stop, but Wilson allegedly fled. The deputy made contact with the vehicle at a residence on Smith Road, where Wilson then jumped from the vehicle and fled on foot. While performing a registration check, the officer learned that the vehicle, a Chevrolet Caprice, was reported stolen in Putnam County.

On December 20, Wilson entered a residence on Shady Drive with the intent to commit a felony while the homeowner was at home.

On December 21 authorities say that Wilson stole a 2011 Chevrolet E25 van valued at $10,000. It was stolen from a location on Short Mountain Highway.

On December 23, Wilson allegedly stole a 2021 Can Am Maverick Side By Side valued at $28,000. It was stolen from a location on Big Hurricane Road. He also allegedly stole several items from a truck on Big Hurricane Road including an iPhone7, USB link, Shop Vac among other things with a total value of $1,464.

That same day, Wilson allegedly broke into a 2018 International Box Truck with the intent to commit a theft.

On December 24, another deputy was on Old Mill Hill Road when he noticed a black and blue Can Am Maverick, Side by Side, matching the description of the one reported stolen. When the Can Am was on New Home Road the deputy activated his emergency lights and the Side by Side fled, exceeding speeds over 67 miles per hour. After an investigation it was determined that the driver was Wilson.

On December 25 Wilson stole two Mechanic Choice wrenches and a roll of shop towels, with a total value of $17.50, from a location on Short Mountain Highway. Wilson also attempted to steal a 1998 GMC 3500 which held toolboxes, and air compressor and a welder with a total value of $15,000. Wilson also attempted to enter an outbuilding on the property.

Wilson is under a total $217,500, bond and is due to appear in court on January 13.

On Christmas day, 42-year-old Benjamin Theodore Taylor of Lee Braswell Road was arrested for domestic assault. He is under a $7,500 bond and will appear in court on January 13.

According to Sheriff Ray, the Captain of the Sheriff’s Department was pulling in to D & D Market on Short Mountain Highway when he witnessed Taylor hitting a woman in the face with his hands. The assault was also captured on video surveillance from the store.

On December 27, 40-year-old Scotty Brian Heard of Chestnut Ridge Road, Spring City, TN, was charged with driving on a revoked license (8th offense) and possession of methamphetamine manufacture, sell, deliver, or possess. He was also cited for running a stop sign, no insurance, littering, and carrying a prohibited weapon.

Sheriff Ray said that a deputy performed a traffic stop on Heard for failing to stop at a stop sign. It was found that his license status had been revoked since November of 2000 for failure to satisfy fines and cost.

The officer also noticed Heard toss a small bag out of the car window, which was found to contain 0.58 grams of a crystal-clear substance believed to be meth. During a pat down search, the deputy also found a pair of “knucks” (brass knuckles).

He is under a $17,500 bond and he will be in court January 13.

On December 29, 40-year-old James Robert Jones of Old Smithville Road, McMinnville, was charged with theft of property over $1,000, aggravated burglary, and two counts of burglary. He is under a $70,000 bond will be in court January 13.

Sheriff Ray said that on December 21 Jones entered residence, an outbuilding, and a garage on Old Mill Hill Road, Dowelltown, with the intent to commit a theft.  Jones allegedly stole several items including multiple tools, toolboxes, miscellaneous ammunition, arrowheads, and several other items. The items totaled $6,220 in value. Most of those items have been recovered. DeKalb detectives were in charge of the investigation.

On December 30, 47-year-old Autumn Danielle White of Pea Ridge Road, Liberty, was charged with resist stop frisk halt search or arrest. Her bond is $3,000 and she will be in court January 13.

Sheriff Ray said a deputy tried to serve White with outstanding warrants out of Rutherford County. After being advised to stop, White allegedly ran into a house and attempted to evade law enforcement.

On December 31, 32-year-old Nathan Joshua Jedlicka of Cookeville was arrested for driving under the influence. He is under a $2,500 bond and will appear in court on January 20.

A deputy was responded to Highway 70 East (Sparta Highway) for a report of a reckless driver. The deputy spotted the vehicle heading west, and crossing over the middle line, into the turning lane.

The deputy initiated a traffic stop, and while speaking with the driver, Jedlicka, the deputy observed his pupils to be constricted and his eyes watery and bloodshot. Jelicka submitted to a field sobriety tasks, which he performed poorly. Intoxicants and paraphernalia were also found in the vehicle.