The Smithville Police Department has released their monthly arrest reports, showing several people charged with drug and theft charges, including one man found with drugs at the hospital.
On July 20, 48-year-old Ernest Paul Barnwell of Sparta was arrested for two counts of methamphetamine possession and simple possession. Police responded to Ascension St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital in reference to a patient with drugs in their room.
On arrival, the officer spoke with hospital security and staff and was given a bag that they had retrieved from Barnwell’s room, which contained 1.44 grams of a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine, 1.18 grams of gray/blue powder believed to be fentanyl and heroin, five yellow capsules believed to be gabapentin, eight off-white round pills of an unknown substance, vape pens containing an unknown substance, seven plastic bags containing blue residue, a straw containing a blue residue and glass pipes containing white residue.
While investigating the incident, the officer asked Barnwell for consent to search his belongings. Upon consent, a search was conducted and no other suspicious items were found. Barnwell cooperated without incident and taken into custody. He is under a $17,500 bond and will be in court on August 10.
Other arrests include an incident on July 3, when 44-year-old Joshua Andrew Green of Antioch Road was arrested for DUI, simple possession or casual exchange, and possession of a handgun under the influence.
Police conducted a traffic stop on a black SUV for a tail light not working. The driver was identified as Joshua Green and while speaking with him, the officer smelled an intense odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Green handed over a pipe with burnt marijuana and was informed that he smoked it moments prior at the red light at the intersection of West Broad and S. Congress Blvd.
The officer was also informed there was more marijuana in the vehicle, inside a cigarette pack in the center console which weighed 10.55 grams. A loaded pistol in its case was also recovered from the vehicle sitting in the passenger seat. Authorities say that Green was asked and consented to field sobriety tasks to which he performed poorly, at which time, he was taken into custody without incident. He is under an $8,000 bond.
That same day, 46-year-old Norma Jean Ervin of Fraizer Street was arrested for public intoxication.
While patrolling E. Broad Street, an officer observed a female, later identified as Ervin, stumble into his lane of travel, causing him to swerve his vehicle into the next lane to avoid striking her. While speaking with her, the officer smelled a strong odor of alcohol coming from her person and was informed that she had been drinking. Her pupils were dilated and she couldn’t stand up or walk straight.
She was placed in custody for her own safety. She was under a $1,500 bond.
On July 7, 39-year-old Sheena Arlene Roper of JE Evins Avenue was cited for theft of property. Roper was seen on video footage at Moses Discount Tobacco taking a bracelet and leaving the store without paying, which deprived the business of its merchandise.
On July 11, 32-year-old Kieren Eshae Walker of Spencer was arrested for manufacturing, delivery, or possession of methamphetamine, prohibited weapons, drug paraphernalia, driving on suspended, reckless driving, evading arrest and cited for speeding and registration violation.
Police observed a motorcycle traveling with no license plate on West Broad Street. The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop in front of Discount Tobacco at which time the motorcycle accelerated to attempt to flee. The motorcycle reached speeds of up to 85mph in a 40mph zone.
The motorcycle refused to stop after several attempts to get him to stop and failed to maintain its lane of travel throughout the whole pursuit. The motorcycle, which was driven by Walker, wrecked on Spicebush Lane when it struck a fence causing property damage.
Upon incident to arrest search, a bag containing 13.5 grams of a crystal-like substance believed to be meth and two smaller bags, .3 grams and .4 grams of a crystal-like substance, also believed to be meth was found along with several empty baggies, several clear pipes containing crystal-like residue and a pair of brass knuckles was found on his person.
Walker was transported to Vandy Wilson due to possible injuries and was later released. He was under a $23,500 bond.
That same day, 37-year-old Eric Wayne Tramel of Jackson Street was arrested for auto theft. Police responded to Juniper Lane in reference to a male subject breaking into a vehicle. The caller stated upon confrontation, the subject started walking away toward South Mountain Street.
Police made contact with a male subject with the description given by the caller, identified as Tramel. Tramel complied with a body search and nothing stolen was found in his possession, at which time the caller didn’t want to press charges.
Tramel was also a suspect in reference to a motorcycle that was reported stolen on July 10. He was questioned but denied stealing the motorcycle. Later on, the motorcycle was located and recovered on Wade Street and returned to the owner. Tramel was seen pushing the motorcycle through the neighborhood on July 10 and claimed the bike belonged to him.
He was under a $20,000 bond.
On July 12, 24-year-old Kadin Wayne Rutledge of Rock Island was arrested for public intoxication and evading arrest. Police responded to Wal-Mart for a head injury report, with four individuals they had already dealt with prior at the hospital where Rutledge had a cut on his head glued from falling at Johnson Chapel.
On arrival, Rutledge was seen lying on the ground bleeding. Once EMS arrived on scene, he stood up and took off running. He was informed to stop several times. Officers had to chase and catch him on foot and then placed into custody. He was under a $5,000 bond.
On July 19, 22-year-old Eric Yael Gaspar Santiago of W. Broad Street was arrested for domestic assault. Police responded to a domestic call and made contact with all parties involved.
During the investigation, it was discovered that Santiago was intoxicated and got into an argument with one of the parties. He then went into his bedroom that he shares with the victim and started a physical altercation by aggressively pushing him. Because of his Santiago’s level of intoxication, the victim was in fear of bodily injury. He was under a $3,500 bond and is due in court on August 3.
That same day, 64-year-old Ricky Doyle Tramel was arrested for burglary and vandalism. Tramel unlawfully and feloniously entered a finished new construction apartment located at 122 W. Broad Street without the effective consent of the property owner. The apartment is not open to the public and is currently up for sale by the owner.
While staying inside the apartment, Tramel vandalized multiple areas with cost of repairs and restitution totaling $10,459. The damage includes, but not limited to, a damaged window, patio door, laminate flooring, drywall and dirty white carpet. He is under a $20,000 bond and will be in court on August 10.
On July 20, 43-year-old Nathan J Wilbert was arrested for public intoxication. Police responded to Mapco for a man disturbing customers and causing problems.
Upon contact, the officer observed Wilbert to be sweating profusely, dilated pupils, could not sit still and could not comprehend what the officer was saying to him. The officer advised Wilbert he needed to leave, at which time he did but when he made it to Subway, he started making a scene, throwing things and arguing with a woman.
Due to Wilbert being homeless and not having a place to go, he was taken into custody for his and the public’s safety. He is under a $1,500 bond and is due in court on August 3.
Also that day, 37-year-old April Tonya Lawson of Poss Road was cited for selling a bottle of wine to a minor at Smithville Wine & Spirit. She will be in court on August 3.
On July 13, 65-year-old Robert Morris Turner was arrested for violation of sex offender registry. Turner did violate his sex offender registry by being within 1000 feet of school. When he was found, he was roughly 500 feet from a preschool located at 103 E. Church Street. He is under a $5,000 bond and will be in court on August 3.