Two men, described by Sheriff Patrick Ray as major marijuana dealers in this area, are going to be in federal prison for several years after being sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court in Chattanooga.
U.S. District Judge J. Alan Edgar sentenced 51 year old Jeffory Carl Young of Short Mountain Road, Woodbury to 224 months (18 years and 6 months), of which he must serve 85% or 15 years and 8 months. Young was fined $15,000 and must undergo drug rehabilitation while in prison. Upon his release, he will be on supervised federal probation for eight years.
54 year old Morris Edward Roller of Lance Road, McMinnville received a sentence of 200 months (16 years and 6 months) of which he must serve 85% or 14 years and one month. He was fined $10,000 and must undergo drug rehabilitation while in prison. Upon his release, Roller will be on supervised federal probation for four years.
In late January and early February, Young and Roller stood trial and were found guilty on all charges in a 20 count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in May, 2006.
The two men have been incarcerated since their arrests.
Following the trial, the defendants agreed to forfeit 1,000 acres of property they own jointly in DeKalb and Cannon County, with an estimated value of $1.7 million dollars. The property will be sold at auction by the U.S. Marshal’s Service at a later date.
Both men were found guilty on a charge that “they did conspire to manufacture 100 to 1,000 marijuana plants, a controlled substance, from at least 1992 until May, 2006”.
Roller was convicted on nine counts of marijuana distribution on the following dates: January 19th, January 30th, February 18th, July 21st, September 15th, and November 17th in the year 2004, on March 2nd and December 29th in the year 2005, and on May 24th, 2006.
Roller was also found guilty of using a communication facility (telephone) to facilitate the distribution of marijuana on the following dates: September 29th, October 4th, October 5th, and December 21st, 2005.
The jury found Young guilty of aiding and abetting another person in the possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute on August 27th, 2004 and January 31st, 2006
Young was also convicted on charges that he used a telephone to facilitate the distribution of marijuana on December 21st, 2005, January 26th and January 31st, 2006 and twice on December 12th, 2005.
The men, business partners, operated farmland on the Warren-Cannon County line.
The case stems from an undercover investigation by the Warren County Sheriff’s Department, the Southeastern Drug Enforcement Agency, the Middle Tennessee Drug Enforcement Agency, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) Agency, and the Tennessee Department of Revenue.
Officers say they made many undercover buys leading up to the raids in May, 2006.
During the arrest in May, authorities seized 31 parcels of land, equaling 1900 acres with a tax appraisal of $2.5 million; more than $10,000 in cash; and over ten pounds of marijuana.
Investigators also confiscated two farm tractors, a round hay baler, semi-truck, a ton truck, and a bob cat loader, all believed to have been purchased with proceeds from the sale of drugs.
The Tennessee Department of Revenue also levied a $60,000 tax against the two men.

11 year olds, Devon Owens and Glenna Beaty will be participating in the Relay for Life May 11th at Greenbrook Park.
The local Wal-Mart?s relay team will have a camp with the theme ?The Magic Cure? where Devon and Glenna will be performing Mini Magic Shows all through out the evening. The Shows are scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. and continue hourly until at least 10:00 p.m.. If the interest is there one more show at 11:00 p.m. may be added.
Devon?s Dad and producer said, ?He?s has been working very hard to make this event as big as possible. I think you?ll be surprised at some of the big stage illusions that he?s bringing? The show will include some new magic and Devon?s twist on a classic or two. Devon and Glenna will also perform their award winning tribute to ?The worlds most famous magician ever?Harry Houdini?.
?I?d like to thank Wal-Mart for asking me to be a part of their camp? Devon said. ?My Granny B works there and I?m glad to get to help her help others with cancer?
Wal-Mart Relay team member Vonda Brown says “Even though there is no ?Magic Cure? for cancer, Devon and Glenna will be doing their part to create one”. The public is invited to come to the relay and see this show. Admission to the show is just $2 and will go directly to the American Cancer Society.
You can visit Devon’s Myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/magicianboy

Relay For Life is set for Friday, May 11th at Greenbrook Park.
It’s is a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs of your American Cancer Society. During the event in DeKalb County, teams of people gather at Green Brook Park and take turns walking laps around the walking trail. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times.
Relay For Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day cancer will be eliminated.
The theme for this year’s Relay for Life will be “Amazing Race” .
The all night event begins Friday at 5:00 p.m. at Green Brook Park featuring lots of food, fun, and entertainment. Local cancer survivors will be introduced at 6:00 p.m. and each one will give a testimony and mention how long they have battled and survived the illness. The introduction will be followed by a Cancer Survivors Walk around the trail.
Thirty three teams specializing in various fun filled activities and food booths will be set up throughout the park, all raising money for the event. And then at 9:00 p.m. a special luminaria ceremony will be held to remember those who have lost the fight against cancer as well as the survivors.
You may order a luminaria in honor or in memory of a friend or loved one today by calling Violet Fuson at 597-4483 or Ivadell Randolph at 597-5296. You may also purchased them during Relay for Life Friday evening at the park.
Last year’s event raised $100,000 dollars. The goal this year is $105,000.

A total of 154 students at DeKalb County High School will receive their diplomas during graduation exercises Friday, May 18 at 7:00 p.m. on the high school football field.
The program will feature remarks by the Valedictorian, Courtney Rhody; Salutatorian, Kendra Adcock; Class President, Ashlee Moss; and Principal Kathy Hendrix. The prestigious White Rose and Citizenship Awards will also be presented to three outstanding members of the class. Diplomas will be presented to each graduate by Director of Schools Mark Willoughby.
The honor students will also be recognized including the Valedictorian and the Salutatorian
Both Rhody and Adcock have compiled a 4.0 grade point average.
Other students earning “Highest Distinction” with a grade point average of 3.8 to 4.0 include Andrew Moore, Kristen James, Nickole Macy, and Jordan Atnip each with a 4.0; Annica Vettraino 3.9, Angel Lindsay 3.9, Zach Davidson 3.9, Ashleigh Wright 3.9, Justin Nokes 3.8, Chris Young 3.8, Tera Menix 3.8, and Ashley Rowland 3.8.
Students earning “High Distinction” with a grade point average of 3.6 to 3.79 include Heather Cantrell 3.7, Joey Driver 3.7, Sarah Fury 3.7, Thomas Hale 3.7, Brandon Shaw 3.7, Rebecca Hendrixson 3.6, Gwenevere Michaels 3.6, Chase Tramel 3.6, Colby Kilgore 3.6, Brittney Bell 3.6, Josh Nokes 3.6, Danny Pirtle 3.6, and Josh Howe 3.6.
Those earning “Distinction” with a grade point average of 3.2 to 3.59 include Amy Ashford 3.5, Tera Campbell 3.5, Kristina Heriott 3.5, Kelli Bess 3.5, Kelli Twilla 3.5, Mikey O’Conner 3.5, Tiffany Walls 3.5, Holly Hughes 3.4, Anna Trapp 3.4, Billy Fuson 3.3, Sarah Nunley 3.3, Roberta Applegate 3.3, Ashley Burchfield 3.3, Richard Schilt 3.3, Ashley McCormick 3.3, Carolina Noyola 3.3, Claire Garrett 3.3
Members of the DCHS Class of 2007 are as follows:
Alicia Dale Adams, Kendra Michelle Adcock, Tiera Danielle Anderson, Roberta Eileen Applegate, Anthony Ashburn, Amy Marie Ashford, Jordan D. Atnip, Justin C. Atnip
Anthony Lee Bain, Jessica LeAnn Bain, Curtis McAustin Barlow, Bradley Hunter Barrett, Mary Allison Batson, Brandi M. Begley, Brittney Jean Bell, Jessica Skye Berry, Kelli Michelle Bess, Mary Beth Bly, Cory Alan Bradford, Avery Kennedy Bratcher, Kasha June Bratcher, Justin Elliott Brooks, Tiffany Christine Brown, Ashley Michelle Burchfield, Keshia Meachealle Byford,
Tera Beth Campbell, Heather Danielle Cantrell, Jessica Lauren Cantrell, Nikki Leigh Cantrell, Keith J.B. Carter, Randall Kyle Centers, Ryan Lee Childers, Bobby Joe Chrisman, Crystal Diane Conners, Patrick Franklin Counts, Terry Ray Cowart, Samantha Hope Cox,
Samantha Caitlyn Daniel, Zachary Alan Davidson, Amanda Jean Dawson, Jose Rolando Delafuente, Trenton Matthew DeMilly, Amber Leigh Dickerson, Allison Diane Driver, Joey Marie Driver,
Loni Mileah Easterwood,
Terra Danielle Farler, Ashley Nicole Farris, Brittany A. Ferguson, Chelsie Lei Ford, Ashley Nichole Foutch, Kelsey Leigh Foutch, Jordon Paul Funk, Sarah Ann Fury, William Paul Fuson,
Emily Claire Garrett, Ryan Lee Garrett, Rachel Elizabeth Garrison, Stacee Marie Giles, Steven Nicholas Gilpin, Brittany Michelle Gingerich, Carolina Godinez, Coty Brandon Griffin,
Justin Allen Hale, Thomas Layne Hale, Tara Jade Hannah, Alexander Charles Harrah, Anthony Edward Hasemann, Farron L. Hendrix, Phillip Ross Hendrix, Rebecca Lucille Hendrixson, Dustin Lynn Herndon, Bradley Herriott, Kristina Lee Herriott, Joshua Stanton Howe. Holly Nicole Hughes,
Kristen Leigh James, Derek Allen Johnson, Jamie Nicole Johnson, Keith R. Johnson, Jonathan Judkins,
Michelle Keenan, Joshua Glen Kerley, Colby David Kilgore, Kayla Paig Kilgore, Amanda Michelle Knowles,
Angel Louise Lindsay, Kelly Lynn Little,
Nickole Marie Macy, Casaundra Rena Maple, Whitney Ashton Maples, Ashley Michelle McCormick, Tera Rebecca Menix, Gwenevere Amanda Michaels, Jeremy Ray Mooneyham, Andrew Levi Moore, Ashlee Nichole Moss, Christina Beth Murphy,
Karrie Lynn Neal, Amber Nichols, Eden Adora Nokes, Joshua Bradley Nokes, Justin Tyler Nokes, Carolina Renee Noyola, Sarah Alexandra Nunley,
Christopher Michael O’Conner, Matthew Bryant Orcutt, Stefany Eiliana Ortega, Kayla Renee Ottinger, Thomas K. Owens,
Shawna Leann Parsley, Joshua Lindsey Perry, Ross Matthew Peterson, Eric Danial Pettis, Danny Hearl Pirtle, Jr., Lucas Dylan Prichard, Jennifer Ashley Pyles,
Henry Clay Ratleph, Phillip Robert Redmon, Courtney Lauren Rhody, Christopher Rigsby, Martha Ilean Robertson, Gary Heath Robinson, Lance Edward Rollings, Ashley Dawn Rowland,
Kayla Rena Sanders, Richard Brandon Schilt, Wendy Michelle Scott, Brandon Kyle Shaw, Nicholas Reese Smith, William Cody Snyder, Michael Felix Sosa, Kristie Ann South, Joshua Eugene Stone, Crystal Beth Street, Brandon Christopher Sullivan,
Nathan Dale Thomason, Sarah Jessica Torres, Chase A. Tramel, Derrick Reed Tramel, Joshua Lane Tramel, Anna Leigh Trapp, Kelli Jon Twilla,
Brittany Allison Vandergriff, Drake Colton Vaughn, Annica Christine Vettraino,
Tiffany Marie Walls, Allen L. Wilkerson, James Ray Williams, Jeffery Wayne Winchester, Ashleigh Dawn Wright,
Heather Ann Yoskovich, Michael Anthony Yost, and Christopher Ryan Young.

A 26 year old Smithville man has been arrested by the Police Department on rape charges.
Smithville Police Chief Thomas J. Stufano says Derek Charles Riggs of 329 Smith Road was arrested Friday on two counts of Rape of a Child and two counts of Aggravated Sexual Battery of a Child under age 7.
According to Chief Stufano, “Smithville Investigators assigned to the Sexual Assault unit had received information from a family member that Riggs was having sexual contact with his two biological children ages 4 and 6 in a motor home he was staying in on Smith Road. Through a series of interviews with family members and the juvenile victims along with forensic information, Investigators were able to determine that Riggs had sodomized and raped his four year old daughter and six year old son on a number of occasions. Smithville Police conducted a taped interview with Riggs who did admit to the sexual contacts. Riggs was arrested and transported to the DeKalb County Jail under a $400,000 bond. The children will remain in the custody of their mother. ”
Chief Stufano says “This is the second high profile case involving the rape of infant and minor children within recent months. Smithville Police have created a specialized unit to handle sexual assaults and are working very closely with the Department of Children Services, the DeKalb County School system, and the District Attorney’s Office. It is incumbent upon everyone to report suspicious activity involving our most precious resource, our children. The citizens of Smithville have been extremely helpful in detecting suspicious activity in our city neighborhoods. Neighborhood Crime Watch is working!

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, conducting a drug investigation at a Bell Street residence on Saturday, arrested two people.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says 26 year old Samer Abdalla of East Marthona Street, Madison is charged with unlawful possession of a schedule II controlled substance (Dilaudid) and possession of drug paraphernalia and 23 year old Megan Lann of Bell Street, Smithville is charged with unlawful possession of a schedule III controlled substance (Hydrocodone) and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Sheriff Ray says deputies, during their investigation at Lann’s residence, found four dilaudid pills on Abdalla and paraphernalia including straws containing a yellow and white powdery residue. Officers also found on Lann, white pills believed to be hydrocodone and paraphernalia including straws and hypodermic needles.
Bond for Abdalla is set at $12,000, and $5,000 for Lann. Both will appear in General Sessions Court on the charges May 10th.
Meanwhile, in other cases 29 year old Lonnie Miller of Asbury Park Apartments in McMinnville is charged with theft over $1,000.
Sheriff Ray says Miller is charged with stealing from a residence on Bright Hill Road a 14 foot utility trailer loaded with sheet rock . The theft occurred on March 16th.
In a separate case, Sheriff Ray says a deputy stopped a vehicle on Highway 70 east on Sunday, April 29th and arrested 35 year old Alberto Cedillo of Pleasant Shade Highway, Carthage. He was charged with a first offense of driving under the influence and cited for violation of the implied consent law. His bond is $1,500.
Meanwhile, another person has been picked up on a sealed indictment returned by the Grand Jury in April as a result of the Sheriff’s Departments undercover drug investigation. Sheriff Ray says 25 year old Amber Johnson is charged with sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance and sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance over .5 grams (cocaine). Her bond is $20,000.

A total of 520 DeKalb County voters have cast ballots with one day left of early voting on the proposal to increase the local option sales tax from 1.5% to 2.75%.
A total of 70 voted on Friday, April 27th including personal appearance and by mail ballots, 21 voted on Saturday, 36 -Monday, 46- Tuesday, 38- Wednesday, 44-Thursday, 42-Friday, 31-Saturday, May 5th, 34-Monday, 31-Tuesday, 41- Wednesday, 57-Thursday, and 29 on Friday
If approved, the overall state sales tax rate in DeKalb County would go from 8.5% to 9.75%, however the county commission has pledged to reduce the property tax rate by nineteen and a half cents.
The rate was increased by 39 cents last September.
Early voting on the referendum continues through Saturday, May 12th. The special election day will be Thursday, May 17th.
All early voting will be done in the basement courtroom of the DeKalb County Courthouse.
Voting hours are from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.
On election day, May 17th, the polling places at all sixteen precincts will open at 8 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
The wording on the ballot will read:
“SHALL RESOLUTION 21-2-2007-1 PASSED BY THE DEKALB COUNTY COMMISSION ON FEBRUARY 26, 2007 PROVIDING FOR AN INCREASE IN THE LOCAL SALES TAX FROM 1.5% TO 2.75% WITH ONE-HALF (1/2) REQUIRED BY LAW AND THE REMAINDER AS PER AGREEMENT CONTRACTS, BE APPROVED?

The DeKalb County Emergency Planning Committee in conjunction with DeKalb County Schools, DeKalb Community Hospital, and local Emergency Responders will conduct a MOCK DISASTER DRILL at Northside Elementary School on Tuesday, May 8th from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
This drill will be held to test the effectiveness of DeKalb County?s Emergency Response Plan and DeKalb County School?s Safety Plan. There will be emergency responders from many different agencies on scene during the drill. DO NOT BE ALARMED BY THE PRESENCE OF EMERGENCY RESPONDERS.
For questions or concerns contact:
DeKalb Community Hospital 215-5000
DeKalb County Schools 597-4084
Northside Elementary 597-1575

DeKalb County voters will start going to the polls Friday to cast their vote on the proposal to increase the local option sales tax from 1.5% to 2.75%.
If approved, the overall state sales tax rate in DeKalb County would go from 8.5% to 9.75%, however the county commission has pledged to reduce the property tax rate by nineteen and a half cents.
The rate was increased by 39 cents last September.
Early voting on the referendum begins Friday, April 27th and ends Saturday, May 12th. The special election day will be Thursday, May 17th.
All early voting will be done in the basement courtroom of the DeKalb County Courthouse. Voting will be held every day except Sunday.
Voting hours are from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Thursday hours are from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
On election day, May 17th, the polling places at all sixteen precincts will open at 8 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
The wording on the ballot will read:
“SHALL RESOLUTION 21-2-2007-1 PASSED BY THE DEKALB COUNTY COMMISSION ON FEBRUARY 26, 2007 PROVIDING FOR AN INCREASE IN THE LOCAL SALES TAX FROM 1.5% TO 2.75% WITH ONE-HALF (1/2) REQUIRED BY LAW AND THE REMAINDER AS PER AGREEMENT CONTRACTS, BE APPROVED?

A Smithville Police Officer was involved in a fatal head-on crash with another vehicle Monday night on Foster Road.
Sergeant Billy Prater of the Tennessee Highway Patrol says 34 year old Officer Callie Matthews was responding to a call around 10:30 p.m. traveling north on Foster Road in her 2001 Crown Victoria police car. According to statements given by witnesses and Officer Matthews, Sergeant Prater says she was traveling with the car’s emergency lights on and the siren off.
As she crested a hill, Sergeant Prater says Officer Matthews applied her brakes to the point of lock up, went into a skid, crossed the center of the street, and made head-on impact with a southbound 2001 Kia Rio, driven by 18 year old Andrew B. Ferris of Cooper Lane, Smithville.
Members of the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department’s Extrication Team were summoned to the scene to help cut Ferris out of his vehicle. He was transported by DeKalb EMS to DeKalb Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Officer Matthews and a passenger of the Kia Rio, 21 year old Brian A. Webber of West Main Street, Smithville were removed from their vehicles and taken by EMS to the parking lot of the Calvary Baptist Church, where they were airlifted by a Life Force helicopter ambulance and flown to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga.
Sergeant Prater says Officer Matthews is stable while Webber remains in critical condition at Erlanger Hospital.
The crash remains under investigation by the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s Critical Incident Response Team.
Sergeant Prater says there was no evidence of alcohol. He says Officer Matthews was wearing her seatbelt at the time of the crash, but Ferris and Webber were unrestrained.
Smithville Police Chief Thomas J. Stufano says “The City of Smithville would like to extend our deepest condolences and prayers to all of the victims and families”
Chief Stufano says Officer Matthews was responding to a dispatched “prowler” call in the area of Dry Creek Road and Foster Road when the accident occurred.