Inmate Found with Prohibited Weapon

An inmate was found with a prohibited weapon inside the jail last week.
43 year old Morris Edward Knowles of Sparta Highway, Smithville is charged with possession of a prohibited weapon inside a penal institution. He is an inmate at the DeKalb County Jail. His bond is $5,000 and he will be in court January 31.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Wednesday, January 23 Morris had a weapon made from a razor handle and a nail. The item could have been used to stab someone. It was found inside Knowles’ sock, while he was being patted down before a shakedown.
44 year old John Michael Turner of East Main Street, Smithville is charged with a second offense of driving under the influence and disorderly conduct. He was further issued a citation for violation of the financial responsibility law (no insurance). His bond totals $7,500 and he will be in court on February 14.
Sheriff Ray said that on Wednesday, January 23 the sheriff’s office received a call that someone had been blowing their car horn for some time on A.B. Frazier Road. Upon arrival, the officer found Turner’s vehicle in a ditch. Turner was present and his keys were in the ignition. Turner had an odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person and he was unsteady on his feet. Turner refused to submit to a field sobriety task because he was too unsteady. Turner was declared an habitual offender on December 5, 1996 in DeKalb County. He was placed under arrest and brought to the jail for booking. Turner did submit to a blood test but at the hospital he initially began cussing and became very loud and disorderly, refusing to do what the officer asked him to do. Turner allegedly made threatening gestures toward personnel checking him into the hospital.
28 year old Brandon Lynn Tallent of West Main Street, Smithville and 20 year old Shelly Renae Newby of Anthony, Avenue Smithville are each charged with theft of property under $500 and two counts of theft of property over $1,000. Bond for each totals $21,500 and they will be in court on February 14.
Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, January 19 Tallent and Newby allegedly took three tractor trailer starters and a cast iron intake from property on the Old Snow Hill Road. The items are valued at more than $1,000. Newby admitted to an officer that she and Tallent had taken items from this property on several occasions.
The next day on Sunday, January 20, Tallent and Newby allegedly took two trailers and small gasoline engines from the same property on the Old Snow Hill Road. These items are valued at more than $1,000. Newby admitted to an officer that she and Tallent had taken these items.
Meanwhile on Friday, January 25, Tallent and Newby went back to the same location and allegedly took val covers, a gas tank, an intake, and struts. These items are valued at less than $500. They were found in the back of Tallent’s vehicle after an officer pulled him over on a traffic stop. Newby admitted to the officer that she and Tallent had taken these items.
40 year old Sergio Sanchez of Kendra Drive, Smithville is charged with driving under the influence. His bond is $3,000 and he will be in court on February 14. He was also issued citations for no valid drivers license, violation of the financial responsibility law (no insurance), improper backing, and violation of the implied consent law.
Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, January 26, Sanchez was involved in a two vehicle crash in the parking lot of Handle Bars II on Sparta Highway. The investigating officer found that Sanchez had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person and his eyes were blood shot. He was unsteady on his feet. Saying he was too drunk, Sanchez refused to submit to field sobriety tasks and blood tests. He was placed under arrest and brought to the jail for booking.