Judge David Patterson sentenced a McMinnville man to fifteen years in prison on child sex charges Friday.
Jared Norrod, 39, entered a no contest (best interest) plea to aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, sexual battery by an authority figure, especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, and incest. He was given a nine-year sentence for especially the aggravated sexual exploitation charge and six year term for the aggravated sexual exploitation charge. The sentences are to be served consecutively. Norrod was given a three-year sentence for incest and three years for sexual battery by an authority figure as well, to run concurrently with each other and the other two sentences, totaling a 15-year term. He will be under lifetime supervision after serving his time.
The DeKalb County Grand Jury charged him with two counts of sexual battery by an authority figure, three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, two counts of especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, four counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, and incest in an April 2014 sealed indictment. He was accused of having sexual contact with two juveniles between the ages of 13 and 18, one a relative, taking photographs of juveniles engaging in sexual activity, having the photographs in his possession, and uploading them to a computer.
Meanwhile, Rebecca Marie Dickens, 28, pled guilty to introduction of contraband into a penal institution and received a three-year sentence, all suspended to supervised probation on Feb. 20. She has requested judicial diversion.
Dickens is one of two women charged last March after they allegedly sent a greeting card with Suboxone strips hidden inside to incarcerated family members. The case against her co-defendant, 54-year-old Tammy Elizabeth Burton, apparently remains pending in court.
The sheriff said Dickens and Burton mailed a greeting card to prisoners Corey Dickens and Travis Davenport on March 7, 2014. The card arrived at the jail on March 10, and correctional officers found the subxone strips inside backing of the card.
"They tore loose one of the double backings in the card and inserted the Suboxone strips," Ray said. Corey Dickens is Rebecca's husband and Davenport is Burton's son. Dickens must pay a $2,000 fine and was ordered to undergo an alcohol and drug assessment, and follow the recommended treatment.
35 year old Abigail Vogel, 35, also pled guilty to introduction of contraband into a penal institution. She was given a three-year sentence, suspended to probation.
The sheriff said Vogel was arrested for another offense on April 26, 2013 and brought to the jail for booking. She was asked several times if she had anything on her person that was illegal, and answered "no." When a correctional officer searched her, a plastic bag containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana was found in Vogel's pocket.
Michael Leichtfuss, 23, pled guilty to introduction of contraband into a penal institution as well, receiving a three-year sentence, all suspended to supervised probation. Ray said that on April 14, 2014 Leichtfuss was observed on video surveillance at the jail acting suspiciously. Correctional officers investigated, and a pill believed to be Xanax fell from his person onto the floor near his bunk when he stood up. Leichtfuss reportedly admitted that the pill belonged to him.
He was also fined $2,000, and must undergo an alcohol and drug assessment and follow the recommended treatment.
John Deck, 41, pled guilty to sale of a Schedule II drug and received a three-year sentence, all suspended to supervised probation by community corrections. He was fined $2,000 and ordered to undergo an alcohol and drug assessment and follow the recommended treatment. He was given 81 days credit for time served.
Christopher Newsom, 32, pled guilty to sale of a Schedule II drug, receiving a three-year sentence, suspended to judicial diversion probation. He was fined $2,000.
Janice Darlene Strange, 56, pled guilty to sale of a Schedule II drug, receiving a three-year sentence, all suspended to TDOC probation on judicial diversion. She was fined $2,000.
Cynthia Vaughn, 41, pled guilty to TennCare Fraud and sale of a schedule III drug, receiving a three-year sentence in each case to run concurrently, all suspended to supervised probation. She has requested judicial diversion. She was ordered to make restitution of $104.90 to TennCare and $25 to the Smithville Police Department.
Peggy Peoples, 43, pled guilty to two counts of attempted delivery of a Schedule III drug, receiving a three-year sentence in each case, to run concurrently. The sentence was suspended to judicial diversion probation. She was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine to the drug fund.
Harry Vedder, 75, pled guilty to possession of a Schedule VI drug, and was granted judicial diversion probation for two years.
Alexander Piasecki, 23, pled guilty to possession with intent to sell and was given a two-year sentence, suspended to judicial diversion supervised probation. He was fined $2,000