A Smithville man who posted offensive and blasphemous notes on the properties of several local churches from May through July has been indicted by the DeKalb County Grand Jury.
The Grand Jury Monday indicted 57 year old Laddie Bill Jerrells of Long Street, Smithville on eight counts of desecration of a place of worship. He was also indicted in separate offenses for resisting arrest and making a false report.
Jerrells was charged in a joint investigation by the Smithville Police and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Departments. He was originally charged on Wednesday, July 5th on twenty four counts including charges of vandalism, disorderly conduct, harassment, and desecration of honored places.
According to Sheriff Patrick Ray and Smithville Police Chief Mark Collins, Jerrells went to churches in the City of Smithville and in the county and posted offensive notes on the church properties, either on the front doors, buildings, or signs.
According to the indictments, the incidents occurred on May 13, May 30, June 18, June 22, June 25, June 29, July 3, and July 5 at times when no church services were being held. No particular denominations were targeted.
Smithville Police charged Jerrells for the two cases in the city. The rest of the charges were brought by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department against Jerrells for the incidents at churches in the county.
Although WJLE did not file charges, a similar irreverent note bearing the name of Laddie Jerrells, was posted on the front door of the WJLE studios in July.
On the desecration charges, Jerrells is accused of treating a place of worship with great disrespect by posting irreverent notes on the churches.
In a joint statement, Sheriff Ray and Police Chief Collins said their departments will always strive to keep churches safe and secure so that congregations can worship freely and in peace.
Meanwhile in the resisting arrest case, Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, February 27 a deputy responded to a residence on Long Street to serve an ex parte order of protection on Jerrells. Upon arrival the officer spoke to Jerrells’ daughter outside the home. She was named as a protected person on the order. The deputy then entered the residence, spoke with Jerrells, and read to him the contents of the paperwork on the order of protection. According to the order, Jerrells was to immediately vacate the residence. After being told several times that he had to leave the premises Jerrells refused to cooperate by lying down with his arms behind his head. He would not allow his wrists to be handcuffed. The deputy had to forcibly place Jerrells’ hands behind his back in order to make the arrest. After arriving at the jail, Jerrells continued to be uncooperative while being booked into the facility.
Jerrells was arrested Sunday, December 11, 2016 for filing a false report. Three days before on Thursday, December 8 Jerrells reported to police that his truck was locked and that he could not find the keys. The next morning, Friday, December 9 Jerrells said his truck was missing and reported it as stolen to Central Dispatch. Upon investigation it was discovered that Jerrells had hidden the vehicle and then reported it to be stolen.
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