The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department arrested a 33 year old Smithville man Wednesday in an undercover drug investigation.
Joseph Scott Barnes of Opossum Hollow Lane, Smithville was charged with attempted possession of a schedule II drug (Oxycontin) for sale and delivery.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says the DeKalb Sheriff’s Department conducted an undercover drug investigation in which Barnes was found to have purchased 120 pills he believed to be Oxycontin 40 milligrams for $3,000.
Detectives seized $3,048 in cash and Barnes’ 1988 Toyota 4×4 pickup truck that he was driving.
Barnes’ bond was set at $10,000 and his court date is January 10th.
More arrests are pending.

A 24 year old man was arrested by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department on Thursday and charged with the statutory rape of a fourteen year old girl.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says Jorge L. Ramirez of South College Street, Smithville is free on a $5,000 bond and he will appear in General Sessions Court on December 20th.
According to Sheriff Ray, detectives learned during an investigation that Ramirez had sexual relations with the girl within the last six months. Ramirez apparently had given the victim a ride and then allegedly pulled his vehicle over and engaged in sexual contact with her. Sheriff Ray says Ramirez admitted to county detectives about his involvement in the crime.
Meanwhile, on Friday deputies from the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department responded to a one vehicle accident on Vaughn Lane, Smithville. 24 year old Humberto Rocha Gerrero of West Side Trailer Court, McMinnville was charged with no driver’s license and no insurance. Sheriff Ray says Gerrero lost control of his vehicle on Vaughn Lane and the vehicle overturned in the roadway. Gerrero posted a $1,000 bond and he will appear in General Sessions Court on December 19th.
Also on Friday, 25 year old Victorio Lopez of Short Mountain Road, Smithville was charged with driving under the influence. Deputies from the sheriff’s department responded to an accident on Short Mountain Highway and Lopez was found to be the driver of the vehicle involved in the accident. Deputies at the scene say Lopez was so intoxicated, he was leaning on the patrol car to balance himself. Lopez’s bond was set at $1,500 and his court date is January 4th.
43 year old Jeffery Ponder of Old Mill Hill Road, Dowelltown was charged on Saturday with Possession of a Schedule IV Drug (Xanax) for Resale, Possession of a Schedule III Drug (Suboxone) for Resale, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Ponder was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped for a traffic violation. After the vehicle was stopped, deputies learned that Ponder had outstanding warrants against him out of Wilson County. Ponder was taken into custody and was found to have a syringe, Xanax Pills, and Suboxone Pills on his person. Ponder’s bond was set at $21,500 and his court date is December 20th.

The Smithville Volunteer Fire Department rushed to the scene of a fire at a vacant building on West Broad Street around 5:37 p.m. Sunday night.
The building was once the old Farmers Supply business location.
Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker says the fire started in the old office portion of the building and spread into the area between the ceiling and roof where some file folders and papers were stored.
Although there was significant damage, fire fighters were able to get the blaze under control before it spread into the larger portion of the building. No one was injured.
Because fire hoses had to be stretched across West Broad Street to the nearest available fire hydrants, traffic had to be re-routed for a while.

Six people were involved in a two vehicle crash around 12:45 p.m. Saturday afternoon on Highway 56 at Hurricane Bridge.
Trooper Shannon Brinkley of the Tennessee Highway Patrol says 28 year old Jennifer A. Griffith of Smithville was driving north in a 2005 Chrysler Town and Country Minivan when she lost control in a curve before crossing the bridge. The vehicle went into a counter clockwise spin, crossed into the southbound lane, and struck a 2003 Nissan Frontier pickup truck head-on, driven by 48 year old Jeffery L. Delaney of Millington, Tennessee. Trooper Brinkley says Delaney swerved to the right toward the guardrail as far as he could but he was unable to avoid the collision.
Griffith’s father, 49 year old Gary Hoffman of Toledo, Ohio and her two daughters, 5 year old Kristen Griffith and 18 month old Cadence Griffith were passengers of the minivan.
Hoffman was ejected through the rear window of the mini van and went over the guardrail and forty feet down an embankment.
He was taken by DeKalb EMS to Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Hoffman was later transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Meanwhile, 45 year old Maria R. Robertson of South Haven, Mississippi, a passenger of the Delaney truck, was trapped and had to be extricated from the vehicle by members of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department’s Extrication Team. The department’s Cookeville Highway Station also responded to the accident.
Robertson was also transported by DeKalb EMS to the hospital in Cookeville.
Trooper Brinkley says Delaney and Jennifer Griffith were not transported by ambulance but later checked themselves into the emergency room of Cookeville Regional for treatment. Neither Delaney, Griffith, or the children were believed to have been seriously injured.
Mrs Griffith was charged with failure to use due care. Trooper Brinkley says the road was wet and it appeared she may have been driving too fast.
Delaney was charged with not wearing his seat belt.

Three people were arrested Friday night in an undercover drug investigation by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says 49 year old Gwynn Greer Prater, 32 year old Tabatha Shantell Murphy, and 60 year old Sharon Hindsley, who all reside at 830 South Mountain Street, Smithville were charged in the case.
According to Sheriff Ray, the sheriff’s department executed a search warrant at the residence after making at least one controlled drug buy there
Prater was charged after detectives found cash and 29 ½ dilaudid pills on his person. Murphy was charged after detectives found 23 ½ pills on her person. Also found in Prater and Murphy’s bedroom were morphine pills, Xanax pills, syringes, straws, glass pipes, and hemostats. In Hindsley’s bedroom, deputies found marijuana and Xanax pills.
Prater and Murphy are both charged with possession of a schedule II drug dilaudid for resale, possession of a schedule II drug morphine, possession of a schedule IV drug Xanax, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bond for both was set at $96,500.
Hindsley is charged with possession of a schedule VI drug marijuana and possession of a schedule IV drug Xanax and her bond was set at $12,500.
All three are scheduled to appear in General Sessions Court on December 20th.

Two people, named in sealed indictments, have been arrested.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says 65 year old Gary Gilmore Britt of Holmes Creek Road, Smithville was indicted this month (December) on charges of sale of a schedule II controlled substance (dilaudid) and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (dilaudid).
Britt allegedly sold drugs to an undercover operative in an investigation by the Sheriff’s Department earlier this year.
Britt will be arraigned in Criminal Court on Monday, December 17th.
In another case, 33 year old Scotty Wayne Neisz of Green Pasture Road, Alexandria was indicted by the August term of the Grand Jury on four counts of aggravated statutory rape, two counts of aggravated burglary, three counts of theft over $1,000 and failure to appear. He failed to show up for court while on bail on the theft charge.
Neisz was picked up Friday morning in Joelton.
Meanwhile, in addition to returning indictments against some 70 people this month, the Grand Jurors also released a brief report on their visit to the DeKalb County Jail.
The report states that “During our recent visit to the DeKalb County Jail, we found it to be in good condition as well as sanitary. Sheriff Ray was very cooperative in his willingness to show us the jail from top to bottom as well as answer any questions that we had.”

Two people were seriously injured a one car crash on South College Street in Smithville Thursday night.
Trooper Allen England of the Tennessee Highway Patrol says 28 year old Michael Todd Jones of Smithville, the driver of a 1991 Chevy Cavalier, was traveling north when he lost control, dropped off the left shoulder of the road into a ditchline, struck a driveway culvert, went airborne, and then hit a utility pole, before coming to rest in the ditch on the west side of the road. The accident, which was reported around 6:15 p.m., occurred near the intersection of Jennings Lane.
Jones was trapped in the car and had to be extricated by members of the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department’s extrication and rescue team.
Both Jones and the passenger, 32 year old Amy Jo Scott of Smithville were airlifted from the scene by a Life Force Helicopter Ambulance and flown to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga. The accident remains under investigation and charges are pending.
Others on the scene, in addition to Trooper England, the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department, and Life Force, were First Responders, DeKalb EMS, Smithville Police, and the Sheriff’s Department.

Seventy people were indicted by the DeKalb County Grand Jury this week.
Three people were named in sealed indictments.
Defendants will appear for arraignment in Criminal Court on Monday, December 17th at 9:00 a.m.
Those indicted and their charges are as follows:
Lisa K. Frasier- aggravated burglary and theft over $500
Lisa Frasier- forgery and passing a forged instrument
Ricky Johnson- statutory rape and rape
Frank Damien Hart- simple possession of a schedule VI controlled substance
Jeremie D. Johnson- aggravated assault and violation of an order of protection
Michael Chad Owens- aggravated burglary and theft under $500
Michael Chad Owens- theft under $500
Michael Chad Owens- possession of drug paraphernalia
David A. Neisz, Jr.- theft over $1,000 and violation of the sex offender registry
Mandy Renee Bly- driving under the influence (1st offense) and violation of the implied consent law
Richard Scott Adams- public intoxication, evading arrest, aggravated assault x 3, and resisting arrest
Patsy Estes McCoy- theft over $500
Patsy Estes McCoy- possession of a legend drug
Jonathan Kyle McCormick- aggravated burglary x 3, burglary, theft over $500 x 3, and theft over $1,000 x 3
Elizabeth Ann Chalfant, Denise Jauregui, and Ashley Owen- theft over $1,000, forgery, and criminal impersonation.
Elizabeth Ann Chalfant-driving while suspended, simple possession of a schedule II controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Marc T. Jenkins- rape
Rex Allen Graham- driving under the influence (2nd offense) and violation of the implied consent law
Kathy Jo Massengail- driving under the influence (1st offense), violation of the implied consent law, and violation of the open container law
Timmy Dale Reece- driving on a revoked license (4th offense)
Joseph W. Judd- theft over $1,000
Tina Young- aggravated burglary and theft under $500
Joseph D. Demaio- burglary, theft under $500, forgery x 2, and passing a forged instrument x 2
Dereck C. Riggs- rape of a child x 4 and aggravated sexual battery under 13 years x 2
Robin H. Russell- driving under the influence (3rd offense), driving on a revoked license (2nd offense), reckless endangerment with a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident with property damage x 3, and violation of the implied consent law
Renee N. Fields- driving under the influence (1st offense), DUI per se, and speeding
Ginger F. Trapp- driving on a revoked license (1st offense)
Victor Manuel Cruz- driving under the influence (1st offense), violation of the open container law, and violation of the implied consent law.
Richard A. Schilt- driving under the influence (2nd offense), driving on a revoked license (1st offense), and violation of the implied consent law
Anthony W. Tramel, Jonathan D. Thomas, and David M. Caldwell- aggravated burglary, theft over $1,000 x 2, and burglary
Todd Odell Hindsley- driving under the influence (2nd offense) and violation of the implied consent law
Michael D. Dirden- theft over $1,000 and filing a false report
Jackie Mark Mullican- driving on a revoked license (2nd offense) and violation of the stop sign law
Jackie M. Mullican- driving under the influence (4th offense), DUI per se, and driving on a revoked license (2nd offense)
Shannon L. Newby- possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of the stop sign law
John W. Braswell- possession of a schedule II controlled substance for resale, possession of a schedule II controlled substance for delivery, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a legend drug.
Amanda M. Riley- theft under $500 and driving on a revoked license (1st offense)
Erik C. Suarez- driving on a revoked license (1st offense)
Larry Lee George- evading with a motor vehicle, reckless endangerment, driving on a suspended license, improper passing, and violation of the light law
Larry Lee George- leaving the scene of an accident with property damage
Larry Lee George- escape, aggravated burglary, theft over $1,000 x 2, and theft under $500
Paula Lynn Almasri- reckless endangerment
Amanda M. Riley- driving on a revoked license (1st offense)
Treva J. Hartman- driving on a revoked license (1st offense)
Virginia D. Ayala- driving under the influence (1st offense)
Danny L. Smithson- driving on a revoked license (5th offense)
Frank S. Smith- driving under the influence (1st offense) and violation of the implied consent law
Bobbie S. Wilson- driving under the influence (1st offense)
James M. Reynolds- driving under the influence (1st offense) and public intoxication
Alvin Douglas Sink, Jr.- manufacturing a schedule II controlled substance (meth), possession of a schedule II controlled substance for resale, and possession of a weapon to go armed
Steven E. Anderson- aggravated statutory rape and evading arrest with a motor vehicle
Justin L. Blevins- driving under the influence (4th offense), violation of the implied consent law, child endangerment, simple possession of a schedule VI controlled substance, simple possession of a schedule IV controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia
Stephen Brannon and Justin W. Marek- theft over $1,000
Justin W. Marek and Stephen Brannon-burglary and theft over $500
Jason D. Campbell- sale of a schedule III controlled substance and delivery of a schedule III controlled substance
Kara L. Funk- possession of a schedule II controlled substance for resale, possession of a schedule II controlled substance for delivery, possession of a schedule III controlled substance for resale, possession of a schedule III controlled substance for delivery, possession of a schedule VI controlled substance for resale, possession of a schedule VI controlled substance for delivery, possession of a schedule IV controlled substance for resale; possession of a schedule IV controlled substance for delivery, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Homer Petty- sale of a schedule II controlled substance, delivery of a schedule II controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia
Ernest E. Hill- burglary and theft over $1,000
Ernest E. Hill- escape
Christopher L. Gammons- theft under $500, forgery x 6, and passing a forged instrument x 6
Charles R. Wilmoth- aggravated burglary and theft over $1,000
Christopher Bryan Pack- simple possession of a schedule VI controlled substance
Kole B. Laxton- driving under the influence (1st offense), violation of the implied consent law, and reckless endangerment
Carl W. Presley- driving on a revoked license (1st offense)
Jeffrey L. Brashears- driving under the influence (1st offense) and violation of the implied consent law
Joshua S. MacDonald- driving under the influence (1st offense), and DUI per se.
Roxanne Hendrixson- possession of a schedule II controlled substance for sale, possession of a schedule II controlled substance for delivery, and possession of drug paraphernalia
Larry D. Lepley- violation of the sex offender registry law
Joel Thomas Hayes- driving under the influence (1st offense), possession of a schedule III controlled substance for resale, possession of a schedule III controlled substance for delivery, and possession of drug paraphernalia
Martin O. Bryant- speeding, possession of a schedule VI controlled substance for sale and possession of a schedule VI controlled substance for delivery.
Bill Bailey Swaner and Charlotte Marie Hill- theft under $500

A 57 year old man was arrested Monday in an undercover drug investigation by the Sheriff’s Department.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says Larry Junior Keaton is charged with sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (Dilaudid). His bond is set at $75,000 and his court date is December 13th.
According to Sheriff Ray, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant Monday at Keaton’s residence at 1662 South Tittsworth Road, Smithville. As a result of the undercover operation, at least one controlled drug buy was made from the home.
The warrant states that “On or about November 27th, 2007, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department made a controlled drug buy of a schedule II drug (Dilaudid) from Larry Keaton at his residence at 1662 South Tittsworth Road in DeKalb County. A confidential informant who was wired was given recorded funds (money) and did purchase dilaudid from Larry Keaton.”
During the search, detectives seized cash and records believed to be evidence of the illegal drug trade.

The sale of fireworks may soon be permitted within the city limits of Smithville.
Since 1982, the city has prohibited the sale of fireworks but in recent weeks Jewel Redman, owner and operator of Jewel’s Market on South Congress Boulevard, has requested more than once that the ban be lifted to give city businesses and others the same opportunity to sell fireworks as those outside the city limits.
Monday night, the board voted to have an ordinance prepared to repeal the ban, paving the way for passage of a new one that authorizes the sale of fireworks with specifics on rules and regulations.
Aldermen Willie Thomas, Jerry Hutchins Sr., and Tonya Sullivan voted for it. Alderman Cecil Burger voted no and Alderman Steve White refrained from voting, citing a conflict since he sells fireworks outside the city during the Fourth of July each year.
In other business, the board adopted a budget amendment ordinance on first reading to appropriate money for the purchase and installation of a sprinkler system at the golf course. If approved on second and final reading, the city will spend $215,000 taking $88,000 from the golf course checking account and $127,000 from the general fund account to pay for the project.
Aldermen Thomas, Hutchins and Sullivan voted for it. Aldermen Burger and White voted against it.
Final passage of the ordinance will be scheduled during the next meeting on Monday, December 17th at 7:00 p.m. following a public hearing.
Alderman Sullivan has apparently given up on her idea of the city possibly purchasing the Magnolia House as a community center for youth, senior citizens, and the public at large.
Monday night, Sullivan asked that the board take no action on it. She said “Parking is going to be an issue and some of the citizens have expressed that they would prefer something more like a gymnasium type (building) that would hold more people and have more functions, so I would not like to take any action on the Magnolia House and would look forward to the city and the county working together to try and meet the needs of the citizens”.
In other business, Alderman Sullivan again expressed her concern about the recent transfer of a sewer treatment plant employee, Roger Shaffnit, to the water treatment plant, without board approval.
Sullivan says Shaffnit is not certified. “When we advertised, we advertised for a certified water plant operator. In the requirements, it said you must be certified.”
Mayor Taft Hendrixson and Alderman White said the notice made reference to the city seeking an operator or trainee.
Sullivan continued, “At this point, because he’s not certified, I would like for him (Shaffnit) to be moved back to the position he was previously in. I would like for him to continue working. I’ve heard nothing but good things about Mr. Shaffnit, but he needs to be certified. He’s responsible for our drinking water, making decisions, our quality of water is dependent on that and it’s unfair to put him in that position.”
Alderman White pointed out that Shaffnit is trying to become certified.
Mayor Hendrixson added that Shaffnit is due to take his test in May.
Sullivan contended that the city should have conducted interviews of the twenty five persons who applied for the position.
Mayor Hendrixson responded “We didn’t get any certified operator applications.”
Sullivan suggested that the city could keep Shaffnit in a trainee position, not leaving him with full responsibility, and still fill the position with someone who is certified.
Alderman White made a motion that Shaffnit’s transfer as a water plant trainee be made official. Alderman Burger offered a second to the motion. Aldermen Sullivan and Hutchins voted in favor, but Alderman Thomas voted no
Sullivan also asked to meet with Secretary-Treasurer Hunter Hendrixson to review the budget to see if there is room for another employee at the water treatment plant. She added ” I want to look at the overtime that is put in there. There’s a lot of stress there and this (another employee) may alleviate some pressure.”
Police Chief Richard Jennings has requested that the city employ an investigator and possibly a school resource officer at the middle school.
Sullivan said the city should proceed with advertising for the hiring of an investigator but that funding for the SRO position could wait until next year’s budget.
This year’s budget includes funds for up to twelve officers working eight hour shifts, but in recent months the police department’s eight officers have been working in twelve hour shifts.
Officer Callie Matthews, the ninth officer in the department, has been off duty since she was involved in a fatal accident earlier this year. She has since been given a medical clearance for light duty work. However, since there are apparently no light duty jobs for a police officer, she has not yet been put back to work by the city council.
Aldermen Sullivan, Hutchins, Thomas, and Burger voted in favor of advertising for an investigator, but Alderman White voted no. White is not opposed to it but prefers to wait until the city makes a decision on the fate of Matthews.
The aldermen also voted to hire a certified recorder to help Secretary-Treasurer Hunter Hendrixson take the minutes of the meeting, at least until he completes his certification.
Alderman Hutchins made the motion. “We’ve been having some problems with the minutes and I would like to make a motion that we get a certified recorder to be present at the board meetings until Mr. Hendrixson gets through his schooling since we have had some confusion with the minutes.”
A certified recorder was already in place during Monday night’s meeting before the council took action, and no mention was made of how much her pay would be, or whether the service needed to be advertised for competitive bidding.
Alderman Hutchins, Thomas, and Sullivan voted for the certified recorder. Aldermen Burger and White voted against it.
Meanwhile, Alderman Thomas took issued with Secretary-Treasurer Hendrixson for not interviewing all applicants for the positions of Police Secretary-Records Clerk and General Secretary.
Hendrixson explained that ” We recently put in the paper (advertised) two positions at city hall. We had 45 applications for police secretary and 32 applications for the general secretary position. We held several interviews. We didn’t interview every one of them. The charter/code for the city allows the treasurer, commissioners, and mayor to go through the applications, and interview the ones we feel may be best for the job.”
City Attorney John Pryor added that the charter does not require all applicants to be interviewed.
Alderman Thomas wanted to table any action to fill those positions until all applicants were interviewed. “I think everybody needs a shot at it. I think if you put out an application, you should interview all of them.”
Hendrixson says while not all applicants were interviewed, all applications were reviewed.
The aldermen voted 3 to 2 to hire Dana England as General Secretary, Beth Adcock as Police Secretary/Records Clerk, and James Storie as full time Sanitation Collector. In all three cases, Aldermen White, Burger, and Sullivan voted for them to be hired while Aldermen Thomas and Hutchins voted no.
After the vote, Alderman Sullivan said the city must be consistent with it’s hiring process. “I think Hunter has tried to follow what the code and charter say but the code and charter is very vague about who is supposed to be present for interviews, how many people are supposed to be interviewed, and what the process is that we are supposed to be following. We have not been consistent with our hiring process.”
In other matters, the aldermen voted to make an emergency purchase at the water treatment plant. City officials say the condition of the filter valves have deteriorated and should be replaced with new electronically operated valves. Mayor Hendrixson says the city has $200,000 in the budget to make the needed repairs. The vote to make the appropriation was 4 to 1. Alderman Thomas voted no.
The aldermen also voted to authorize the city’s engineering firm, the J.R. Wauford Company to apply to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a permit to obtain a floating intake and to explore the costs of such a pump. If the lake level falls below 618 feet (above sea level), the minimum depth for the city to produce finished water at an acceptable rate, more than 16,000 customers served by the city and the DeKalb Utility District could be affected.
Mayor Hendrixson says the lake was at 625 feet (above sea level) as of Monday, but the fear is that the lake will fall to 618 or below over time if drought conditions worsen during the repair phase of Center Hill Dam, when the Corps plans to keep the lake level lower.
The aldermen approved the mayor’s appointment of Kay Quintero to fill the unexpired term of the late Dr. Jerre Hale on the Smithville Housing Authority Board. The term expires in December, 2008.
Jimmy Ervin was also reappointed to the Smithville Housing Authority Board to a new five year term.
The city board approved on first reading an ordinance to rezone the property of James Cantrell at 1100 South College Street from B-1 neighborhood shopping, to B-2 general business. Second and final reading action will follow a public hearing at the next meeting on December 17th.
The council also adopted on first reading ordinances adopting the International Residential Code, International Plumbing Code, and an ordinance establishing conditions for the temporary parking of recreational vehicles in mobile home parks. Second and final reading action will follow public hearings at the December 17th meeting.