A man who concealed a camera in a bathroom to capture video of a sixteen year old girl taking a shower has been arrested by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department.
19 year old Clayton Daniel Gott of Blue Springs Road, Smithville is charged with three counts of unlawful photographing and violation of privacy. He was arrested on Saturday, July 27. His bond totals $4,500 and he will be in court August 8.
According to Sheriff Patrick Ray, the incidents occurred at the home of the victim’s grandparents. The victim is a sister to Gott’s girlfriend and Gott, who lives next door, had been a frequent and welcomed visitor to the home. Sheriff Ray said during Gott’s visits, he would go to the bathroom and set up the camera. After the victim took a shower, Gott would go back in the bathroom and remove the camera.
During the third episode, the victim discovered the recording device in a toilet paper holder in the bathroom. The camera was on and recording while she was taking a shower. The incident was reported to the sheriff’s department.
According to Sheriff Ray, Gott admitted to hiding the camera in the bathroom for the purpose of collecting video of this 16 year old female. Gott claims to have done this a total of three times within the previous two weeks. He was arrested and brought to the jail for booking.
31 year old William Travis Malone of Curtis Avenue, Alexandria is charged with initiation of a process intended to manufacture methamphetamine. Malone was also issued a citation for possession of drug paraphernalia (two needles and several cut straws). His bond is $50,000 and he will be in court August 8. Sheriff Ray said that on Tuesday, July 23 Malone, Candice Vickers, and others were in a vehicle at the Walmart parking lot in Smithville. Vickers had an active warrant against her. A deputy pulled over the vehicle to serve the warrant. While checking for warrants on others in the vehicle, the Smithville Police Department K-9 unit was deployed. The dog indicated on the automobile. Officers searched the trunk of the car and found a black and orange bag that contained a 20 ounce plastic bottle of muriatic acid, an 8 ounce Folgers container full of lye, plastic tubing, six lithium batteries, two cold packs including one cut open, and other items used to manufacture methamphetamine. According to Sheriff Ray, Malone said these items belonged to him. Malone was arrested and brought to the jail for booking.
An investigation by a sheriff’s department detective into reports of forgeries resulted in the arrest of 38 year old Christopher Alan Scruggs of Highland Avenue, Smithville. He is charged with three counts of forgery. His bond totals $4,500 and he will be in court August 8. Sheriff Ray said that Scruggs allegedly passed a $35 forged check at Jewel’s Market on Highway 56 on Wednesday, July 10 and again on Friday, July 12 . Scruggs also allegedly passed another $35 forged check at Shiney Rock Market on Thursday, July 11.
25 year old Brandon Wayne Hutchings of Young Ridge Road, Sparta and 24 year old Jessica Anne Jenkins of Fall Creek Drive, Smithville are each charged with burglary and theft of property under $500. Jenkins is also charged with filing a false report. Hutchings’ bond totals $7,500. Bond for Jenkins is $9,000. Court dates are August 1 for Hutchings and August 8 for Jenkins.
Sheriff Ray said that Hutchings and Jenkins are charged with breaking into and taking a purse from a vehicle parked at Sligo bridge on Sunday, July 21. Entry was gained by breaking out a rear window on the passenger side causing $300 in damage. The purse contained a wallet, pants, tank top, and a belt, all valued at less than $500. Hutchings and Jenkins were arrested some two hours later. Found on Hutchings was the victim’s identification.
Jenkins was arrested again on Saturday, July 27 on the filing a false report charge after an officer went to her home to serve an active warrant on her. The deputy asked Jenkins if anyone else was in the home. She said no. After checking further, the officer found three others including one person with an outstanding warrant. Jenkins was arrested and brought to the jail for booking.
Two female inmates have been charged with assault for fighting while in jail. 36 year old Stephanie Lee Vanatta of A.B. Frazier Road and 29 year old Rhonda Joy Goff of Students Home Road will be in court August 8. Bond for each is $2,500. Sheriff Ray said that on Sunday, July 28 Vanatta and Goff began arguing and that the incident escalated into an altercation. Correctional officers had to go into the cell area where Vanatta and Goff were on the floor. Vanatta was bleeding from her nose and she complained that her ribs were hurting. Goff was observed on the jail’s video surveillance system going after Vanatta.
Another prisoner is also charged with fighting in jail. 33 year old Anthony Doel Atnip of Johnson Chapel Road, Sparta is charged with assault. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court on August 1. Sheriff Ray said that on Thursday, July 25 Atnip and another inmate got into an argument which escalated into an altercation. Atnip allegedly struck the other inmate several times about the head and body with his fist.
38 year old Jimmy Mason Page of Old Snow Hill Road, Dowelltown is charged with evading arrest. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court August 8. Sheriff Ray said that on Sunday, July 28 an officer went to Page’s home to serve an outstanding warrant on him. As the deputy was driving slowly by trying to find Page’s driveway, he spotted Page sitting on the front porch of his home. When Page saw the officer, he jumped up and ran into the woods. While deputies were searching the woods, Page returned to his house. He was subsequently arrested and brought to the jail for booking.
45 year old Brett Allen Anderson of East Bryant Street, Smithville is charged with driving on a revoked license. He had already been cited earlier that day for the same offense. Anderson was further cited for simple possession of a Schedule II drug (Morphine). His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court August 1. Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, July 22 Anderson was operating a vehicle on Midway Road when a sheriff’s department drug detective pulled him over, having prior knowledge that his driver license were revoked. A computer check confirmed that his license were revoked for failure to provide financial responsibility on June 24, 2013. During the traffic stop, the detective saw Anderson putting something in between the driver’s seat and console. The detective checked there and found a cellophane pack with two pills believed to be morphine. He was arrested and brought to the jail for booking.
28 year old Tristan Jade Burgess of Potts Camp Road, Smithville is charged with domestic assault. She is under a $2,500 bond and she will be in court August 8. Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, July 22 Burgess and her husband got into an argument which became physical. Burgess allegedly scratched her husband’s neck, chest, and back leaving red marks. She also tore his shirt. Burgess was arrested and brought to the jail for booking.
31 year old Renee Lynn Simpson of Church Street, Dowelltown is charged with domestic assault. Her bond is $1,000 and she will be in court August 8. Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, July 22 Simpson and her brother got into an argument. During the incident, Simpson allegedly slammed the television to the floor. Then, as her brother picked up the TV, she allegedly slapped him in the head, grabbed the TV and threw it down again, breaking it. Simpson grabbed a fork and followed her brother, threatening to kill him and his family. She then picked up his computer and threw it on the floor. Simpson was arrested and brought to the jail for booking.
36 year old Jayme Lynn Dowell of Carter Street, Smithville is charged with domestic assault. Her bond is $1,000. Sheriff Ray said that an officer was dispatched to a domestic call at Dowell’s home on Tuesday, July 23. Upon arrival, the officer saw the victim in the doorway with blood on her arms and head. She was fussing with Dowell, who is her sister. After speaking with both parties, the officer learned from Dowell that she tried to push her sister out of the door. Dowell was determined to be the primary aggressor and she was brought to the jail for booking.
36 year old Tim Melvin Hickman of Bridgeway Motel, Smithville is charged with an eighth offense of driving on a revoked license. He was also issued a citation for improper passing, a violation of the financial responsibility law (no insurance), and a violation of the registration law. His bond is $10,000. Sheriff Ray said that on Tuesday, July 16 Hickman was operating a Gold Harley Davidson motorcycle on Highway 70 when he was stopped for passing another vehicle in a no passing zone. He had no tag on his motorcycle. He could not produce a license nor proof of insurance. A computer check revealed his license were revoked. Hickman was arrested and brought to the jail for booking.
52 year old Paul Randall Ervin of Big Hurricane Road, Smithville is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $1,500. Sheriff Ray said Ervin and his wife got into an argument at their residence on Thursday, July 18. Ervin allegedly hit her in the chest, grabbed and scratched her arm, and took money and a phone from her hand and hid them. Ervin was arrested and brought to the jail for booking.
22 year old Eva Caroline Parliament of Meadows Drive, Lebanon is charged with driving on a suspended license. A passenger of the vehicle, 25 year old Melissa Hadidian Moghadam of Hermitage is charged with public intoxication. Bond for each is $1,500.
Sheriff Ray said that on Friday, July 19 Parliament was behind the steering wheel of a motor vehicle, parked in the middle of Midway Road just after midnight with her lights off. The officer checked the vehicle and found Parliament under the steering wheel. The officer detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the vehicle when the doors were opened. Parliament had no drivers license. A computer check revealed her license to be suspended for failure to satisfy a citation in Rutherford County. Moghadam submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. The deputy allowed Parliament and Moghadam to call someone to pick them up but after an hour passed and no one showed up, Parliament and Moghadam were arrested and brought to the jail for booking for the safety of themselves and the public.

Forty seven people were indicted by the DeKalb County Grand Jury Monday including thirteen persons named in sealed indictments.
Those indicted will appear for arraignment in DeKalb County Criminal Court on Monday, August 12 at 9:00 a.m.
Defendants and their charges are as follows:
Brittney Barnes- Worthless Check (2 counts) and Theft under $500
Joseph Blair- Driving under the Influence, Possession of Paraphernalia, and Failure to Carry a Driver’s License
Anthony Bullard- Sale and Delivery of Schedule II drug
Wesley L. Burrage- Violation of Community Supervision for Life (4 counts) and Violation of the Sex Offender Registry
Andy Certain, April Lee Hollingsworth, and Kelly Lee Hollingsworth- Burglary, Theft over $1,000, & Possession of Paraphernalia
David Baxter Cook- Sale and Delivery of Schedule III drug (2 counts) & Sale and Delivery of Schedule IV drug
Sobhy Eskandar- Sexual Battery (3 counts)
Rachel Green and Clayton Green- Aggravated Burglary, Auto Burglary, Theft over $1,000, Theft under $500, and Possession of a Weapon by a Felon.
Joel Thomas Hayes- Burglary and Theft over $1,000
Larry Lattimore- Driving under the Influence (4th offense)
James Steven LeDuc- Possession of a Schedule II drug for resale, Possession of a Schedule IV drug for Resale (2 counts)
Robert Allen Lester, Jr.- Auto Burglary (11 counts) Theft under $500 (7 counts), Theft over $500 (2 counts), Theft over $1,000 (4 counts), Burglary (3 counts), Aggravated Burglary
Robert Allen Lester, Jr. and Ronald Deshon Reeder- Auto Burglary (2 counts), Burglary, Theft over $1,000, and Theft under $500 (2 counts)
Trina Matthews- Theft over $1,000, Theft under $500
Travis Melton- Aggravated Burglary (2 counts) and Theft over $1,000 (2 counts)
Howard R. Moon- Driving under the Influence (5th offense) and Evading Arrest
Alvaro Alfaro Munoz- Driving on a Suspended License
Shelly Newby- Theft over $1,000 (2 counts), Theft under $500
Calen Paschal- Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Weapon by a Felon, & Possession of a Schedule VI drug for Resale
Joseph Huff Ray- Theft over $500 and Initiation of Methamphetamine
Zachary Adam Shinabery- Driving under the Influence (2nd offense)
Brandon Thomas- Initiation of the Manufacture of Methamphetamine and Driving on a Revoked License
Tracy Ann Thomason- Theft under $500 (2 counts)
Johnny Trapp- Domestic Assault
Richard Turner- Theft under $500
Ray Darnell Underwood-Possession of a Schedule II & VI drug, Evading Arrest (2 counts), Promotion of the Manufacture of Methamphetamine, and Driving on a Suspended License
Stephanie Vanatta- Theft over $1,000, Auto Burglary (2 counts), Theft under $500 (4 counts), Burglary (2 counts), Vandalism over $500
Tracy Nelson Veach- Driving under the Influence (4th offense) and Violation of the Implied Consent Law
Jason Mark Watts- Driving under Influence and Evading Arrest
Paul Willingham- Introduction of Contraband into a Penal Institution
Autumn White- Possession of a Schedule VI drug and Possession of a Schedule II drug for Resale
Melissa Darlene Woods- Initiation of the Manufacture of Methamphetamine

Two men charged in an investigation into a rash of burglaries and thefts in the Dowelltown and Dry Creek Road area last winter were indicted Monday by the DeKalb County Grand Jury.
25 year old Robert Allen Lester, Jr. is indicted on eleven counts of auto burglary, three counts of burglary, seven counts of theft under $500, four counts of theft over $1,000, two counts of theft over $500, and one count of aggravated burglary
Lester and 19 year old Ronald Deshon Reeder are co-indicted on two counts of auto burglary, two counts of theft under $500, one count of burglary, and one count of theft over $1,000.
Sheriff Patrick Ray told WJLE that the burglaries and thefts occurred on December 28 and from January 7-10 mostly in Dowelltown but also on Dry Creek Road in the area from New Home Road to the city limits of Smithville. There were nine victims altogether. Lester is accused of breaking into the Dowelltown Post Office, burglarizing automobiles of residents on South Mill Street, North Mill Street, Happy Valley Drive, Corley Street, Dry Creek Road, and the burglary of a shed/guest house on Corley Street, and an outbuilding on Dry Creek Road.
According to Sheriff Ray, Lester was responsible for the actual burglaries and thefts. In the case of the vehicles, he allegedly entered through an unlocked door in most instances and took what he could find, mostly guns and GPS devices, among other belongings. Reeder was originally charged with Lester in three of the crimes on Dry Creek Road because he rode along with Lester and sat in the vehicle while Lester was out committing the burglaries and thefts, knowing what Lester was doing. Sheriff Ray said after Lester was identified as a suspect, detectives and officers of the Sheriff’s Department raided his home and found most of stolen items.
Smithville Police also arrested Lester in January and charged him with three counts of burglary and three counts of theft. Chief Randy Caplinger said that on December 4 and January 2 Police received reports of vehicles having been broken into and items taken from them on Hayes Street, West Main Street, and Spring Street. Upon an investigation, it was determined that Lester had committed the crimes.
Indictments against Lester allege that:
*On or about December 4, 2012, Lester broke into a victim’s vehicle and took a TOM TOM GPS, being under the value of $500.
*On or about December 28, 2012 Lester broke into the Dowelltown Post Office and took three money orders being over the value of $500.
*On or about January 2, 2013, Lester broke into a victim’s vehicle and took a Blue Jensen Double Speaker Box, a GPS, miscellaneous baseball cards, miscellaneous CDs, miscellaneous tools and miscellaneous wiring, being over the value of $1,000.
*On or about January 2, 2013, Lester broke into a victim’s vehicle and took a wallet, a driver’s license, social security card, birth certificate, insurance card, set of keys and car keys, being under the value of $500
*On or about January 6, 2013, Lester broke into a victim’s vehicle and took a TOM TOM GPS, being under the value of $500.
*On or about January 7, 2013, Lester broke into a victim’s residence and took one set of engagement rings, two anniversary band rings, a diamond bracelet, a Dell computer, a Canon digital camera in a case, an MPG player and a power cord, being over the value of $1,000.
*On or about January 7, 2013, Lester broke into two victim’s vehicles and took a Garmin, a phone car mount, fifteen Disney DVD’s, a car charger, twenty CDs and a car safety kit, being over the value of $1,000; along with a another Garmin, an iPod, an adapter and a charger, being over the value of $1,000
*On or about January 7, 2013, Lester broke into a victim’s vehicle and a building and took a 10 inch laser guide and two TOM TOM GPS’s, each being under the value of $500
*On or about January 7, 2013 Lester broke into a victim’s building and took a Stevens over and under 22-20 gauge shotgun, being under the value of $500.
*On or about January 7, 2013, Lester broke into a victim’s residence.
*On or about January 8, 2013, Lester broke into a victim’s vehicle and took a Remington rifle with scope, an H&R rifle with scope and a Smith and Wesson 270 rifle with scope, being over the value of $1,000.
* On or about January 8, 2013, Lester broke into a victim’s vehicle and took a bottle of blood pressure pills, being under the value of $500.
* On or about January 9, 2013, Lester broke into a victim’s vehicle and took a Smith and Wesson .38 caliber pistol with holder, being under the value of $500
Lester and Reeder are co-indicted in the following offenses:
* On or about January 9, 2013, Lester and Reeder broke into a victim’s vehicle and took clothing, change, a buck knife, a hunting pouch, 270 Winchester shells, a vest, and hat, being under the value of $500
*On or about January 10, 2013, Lester and Reeder broke into a victim’s vehicle and building and took a Play Station 3, money, a 250 piece Kobalt socket set, a Brother sewing and embroidery machine, and a pack of Pall Mall cigarettes, being over the value of $1,000; along with a TOM TOM GPS and seven cell phone chargers, being under the value of $500.

Of the 732 fire departments in Tennessee, both volunteer and paid, DeKalb County Fire Department ranks # 6 for 2012-13 training achievement by the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy. Considering the ranking among volunteer departments in the state, DeKalb County Fire Department ranks # 1 (complete listing of recognized departments shown below).
This is the fifth consecutive year DeKalb County Fire Department has been recognized as one of Tennessee’s elite fire departments for outstanding training achievement. Last year, the department was awarded the Silver Level Award and was the #2 volunteer fire department in Tennessee for training hours. This year, the department logged 3,306 training hours and was recognized as a Gold Level fire department in Tennessee for its 2012-13 training efforts. Roger Hawks, Executive Director of the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy, attended the DeKalb County Commission Meeting on Tuesday evening and made the formal elite award presentation to DeKalb County. Accepting the award on behalf of the county fire department were (pictured above left to right: Assistant Chief Jeff Williams; Lieutenant David Agee; Roger Hawks, Executive Director of the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy; Captain Anthony Boyd; and Lieutenant Jay Cantrell)
DeKalb County Mayor Mike Foster commended the department’s members and leaders for making DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department’s training program such a huge success. “It is amazing to see the level of commitment that we continue to get year after year from our volunteer firefighters who work hard and train hard to make sure our citizens have good fire protection here in DeKalb County. Getting this kind of statewide recognition for the fifth consecutive year makes it very clear that we have an excellent group of men and women who are willing to do whatever it takes to be prepared to respond to the emergency needs of our citizens,” says Mayor Foster.
Chief Donny Green says he wants to personally commend Lieutenant David Agee, the department’s Training Officer for his determination in planning and coordinating the department’s training activities in a manner that identifies our training program as one of top in the state; volunteer or career. In addition to the 3,306 hours at the Academy, Lieutenant Agee coordinated 2,237 hours in “in-house” training. Chief Green says that without the support of County Mayor Mike Foster, the County Commission, and the citizens of DeKalb County, the department could not have achieved such recognition. “Properly trained firefighters are the best tools available to any fire department. Without proper training, the best and most expensive equipment is useless. However, good training coupled with good equipment is priceless,” says Chief Green. Training performance and documentation are a core elements in the Insurance Services Office’s (ISO) property protection that determine how much property owner’s have to pay in homeowners insurance premiums. The DeKalb County Fire Department’s proven success has resulted in a dramatic improvement to DeKalb County’s Public Protection Classification Rating of Class 6.
If you are interested in learning more about the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department, or would like information on how to be a member of our team and become a volunteer firefighter, you can visit the Department’s website at: www.dekalbfire.com or call 615-464-7176. You can also visit the Department’s FaceBook group page.
Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy’s
Elite Club 2012-13
Platinum
Bradley County Fire Department 18,900 Hours
Rural/Metro Fire Department 6,864
Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue 4,450
McMinnville Fire Department 4,019
Gold
Lebanon Fire Department 3,308
DeKalb County Fire Department 3,306
Rutherford County Fire & Rescue 3,222
Morristown Fire Department 3,054
Nashville Fire Department 2,985
Johnson City Fire Department 2,937
Oak Ridge Fire Department 2,628
Montgomery County VFD E-911 2,464
Putnam County VFD 2,436
Wilson County EMA 2,234
Hendersonville Fire Department 2,223
Gallatin Fire Department 2,183
Andersonville VFD 2,095
Hardin County Fire Department 2,011
Silver
Elizabethton Fire Department 1,874
Jefferson City Fire Department 1,861
Athens Fire Department (City of) 1,859
Cookeville Fire Department 1,857
Milan Fire Department 1,709
Cumberland County FD 1,600
Germantown Fire Department 1,521
Clarksville Fire & Rescue 1,508
Shelbyville Fire Department 1,486
Selmer Fire Department 1,427
Greeneville Fire Department 1,303
Blount County Fire Department 1,281
Humboldt Fire Dept. 1,216
McMinn County Rural Fire Department 1,120
Seymour Volunteer Fire Department 1,077
Cocke County Fire Department 1,059
Rhea County Fire Department 1,028
Smyrna Fire Department 1,025

A man who fell while trying to climb a steep rock formation at Center Hill Lake Friday evening remains in trauma intensive care at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga.
34 year old Brian McKnight is believed to have suffered serious injuries including broken bones.
McKnight and others were reportedly at the Potts Camp Road access when they decided to go across the lake to the bluff. McKnight had climbed approximately 100 feet when he fell after a large rock he reached for came loose. The rock then fell on top of him after he landed on a rock ledge.
Corps of Engineer officials and members of the DeKalb EMS and DeKalb County Rescue Squad arrived on the scene by boat.
After making their way up the steep bluff, rescue workers reached McKnight, placed him in a stokes basket and used rappelling equipment to safely bring him down, according to Dustin Johnson, Captain of the DeKalb County Rescue Squad, who spoke with WJLE Saturday. McKnight was loaded onto a pontoon boat. From there, he was taken back to the Potts Camp Road access and then transported by DeKalb EMS to a helicopter landing zone which was set up near the churches in the Jefferson Community. He was airlifted to Erlanger Hospital.
The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department provided assistance and members of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department established the helicopter landing zone.