Two men were arrested last week in a recent home burglary on Johnson Chapel Road.
21 year old William Richard Denton and 20 year old Travis Marcus Melton, both of Johnson Chapel Road, Sparta are each charged with aggravated burglary and theft of property over $1,000. Bond for each is $10,000 and they will be in court on August 23.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that Melton allegedly broke into a residence on Johnson Chapel Road Sunday, July 29. Entry was made through a back window. Items taken in the burglary were gold chains, gold bracelet, rings, several handguns, and ammo, together valued at more than $1,000. According to Sheriff Ray, Denton assisted Melton in the burglary and gave him the combination to a safe where the guns were kept. Denton then allegedly sold the stolen items taken from the home. The case was investigated by a criminal detective of the Sheriff’s Department. Denton was arrested on Tuesday, August 7. Melton was arrested the following day.
33 year old Paul Allen Willingham of Smithville is charged with introduction of drugs into a penal institution. His bond is $5,000 and he will be in court August 23. Sheriff Ray said that on Friday, August 10, Willingham came to the jail to serve a weekend sentence. Upon a search of the crotch area of his underwear, officers found three cellophane wrappers with pieces of xanax and twelve whole xanax pills, which is a schedule IV drug. The case was investigated by drug detectives of the sheriff’s department.
39 year old Rogelio Rivera Palomo of Jacobs Pillar Road, Smithville is charged with driving under the influence. He was further issued citations for violation of the open container law, failure to exercise due care, violation of the implied consent law, violation of the financial responsibility law (no insurance), and failure to maintain his lane of travel His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court on August 23. Sheriff Ray said that Palomo was involved in a one car crash on Saturday, August 11. He had an odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person and he was unsteady on his feet. Palomo performed poorly on all field sobriety tasks and refused to submit to a blood test. There were several empty beer bottles and one full bottle in his vehicle. Palomo was arrested for DUI. He refused to consent to blood alcohol test.
27 year old Michael Brandon Redmon of Smithville is charged with public intoxication. His bond is $1,000 and he will be in court on September 13. Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, August 4, a deputy responded to Highway 56 north in reference to a person who may have been involved in a burglary earlier in the night. Upon arrival, the officer made contact with Redmon, who was very unsteady on his feet. His speech was also very slurred. Due to his walking on the roadway and being under the influence, Redmon was placed under arrest in the interest of his safety and for the safety of the public.
Archived News & Obituaries