An intoxicated driver, allegedly looking for a place to pull over to shoot up some dilaudid, chose
a spot where more than a dozen law enforcement officers had gathered for in-service training.
22 year old Dustin Allen Pedigo of King Ridge Road, Dowelltown is charged with a second offense of driving under the influence and unlawful possession of a schedule II drug for resale (dilaudid). He was also issued a citation for possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond is $6,500 and he will be in court on October 4.
According to Sheriff Patrick Ray, Pedigo pulled into the driveway of the county fire department’s main station on King Ridge Road last Wednesday, September 26 where ten or twelve patrol cars were parked. The officers were there for an in-service training. A few officers, who were outside the building at the time, saw Pedigo pull up and then back up several times in his automobile. At one point, Pedigo’s vehicle almost hit the key pad for the gate. Sheriff Ray said he believes Pedigo was looking for a place to stop and “shoot up some dope (dilaudid)”.
A deputy approached Pedigo and found that his speech was slurred. Pedigo got out of the vehicle and the officer saw him holding a cut straw and a hypodermic needle. Pedigo submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. He also submitted to a blood alcohol/drug test at the hospital. Pedigo admitted to drinking beer, according to Sheriff Ray. While at the hospital, Pedigo went to use the restroom and there a small clear package fell onto the floor. Inside the package were four small yellow pills believed to be dilaudid.
37 year old James Paul Wright and 29 year old Jessica Louise Verbeke both of Lebanon are each charged with theft of property over $500. Bond for each is $4,500 and they will be in court October 11. Sheriff Ray said that on Thursday, September 27, Wright and Verbeke allegedly stole a trailer and a weedeater, valued at over $600, from a residence on Dry Creek Road. Wright and Verbeke have allegedly admitted to taking these items, according to Sheriff Ray.
61 year old Mark E. Soales of Davis Street, Smithville is charged with driving under the influence. He was also cited for violation of the implied consent law, violation of the registration law, violation of the financial responsibility, no drivers license, and for having a headlight out. His bond is $2,000 and he will be in court on November 1.
Sheriff Ray said that on Thursday, September 27 a deputy responded to a BE ON THE LOOKOUT (BOLO) for a possible drunk driver on Highway 56 south. The officer spotted the vehicle and got behind it. According to the deputy, the automobile, driven by Soales, crossed the center line of the highway several times. The officer activated his blue lights signaling for the driver to stop. Soales stopped in a lane of travel. The deputy found that Soales had a very strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person and his speech was slurred. Soales admitted to being drunk and told the officer to take him on to jail. Soales, who was very uncooperative with the officer, refused to submit to any field sobriety tasks or a blood alcohol test.
24 year old Lindsey Paulette Davenport of Woodbury Highway, Liberty is charged with aggravated burglary and theft of property over $500. Her bond is $11,000 and she will be in court October 4. She was arrested on Friday, September 28
Sheriff Ray said that on Wednesday, September 12, Davenport allegedly broke into a residence on Cecil Hale Road. Entry was made by prying open the front door. Davenport allegedly stole nose trimmers, a Radio Shack Weather Alert Radio, two fishing poles, a wind up grandfather clock, and a red tool box with miscellaneous tools with a total estimated value of $817.
The case was investigated by a criminal investigator of the sheriff’s department.
24 year old Crispin Gonzalez Perez of Talley Road, Smithville is charged with driving under the influence. He was also issued a citation for no drivers license, violation of the financial responsibility law (no insurance), violation of the implied consent law, and for driving on the wrong side of the road. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court October 4.
According to Sheriff Ray, on Saturday, September 29 a deputy saw a small pickup truck traveling on the wrong side of the road on Lee Braswell Road. The officer stopped the vehicle and spoke to the driver, Perez, who had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person. Perez told the officer that he had drank six beers. Perez submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. He was very unsteady on his feet. Perez refused to submit to a blood alcohol test.
53 year old Annette Melvin of Sparta Highway, Sparta is charged with aggravated assault. Her bond is $3,500 and she will be in court October 4.
Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, September 29, Melvin allegedly assaulted a man in her room at Ragland Bottom Motel. The responding officer determined that Melvin was the primary aggressor. The victim had been hit in the back of the head with a glass beer bottle, causing a cut. The victim also had a cut to his right hand. Melvin and the man had gotten into an argument and when he tried to take the bottle away from her, she hit him with it. DeKalb EMS was called to the scene.
34 year old James Frederick Summers of Toad Road, Dowelltown is cited for simple possession of a schedule IV controlled substance (diazepam), simple possession of a schedule III drug (hydrocodone), and simple possession of a schedule VI drug (marijuana). He will be in court October 25.
Sheriff Ray said that an officer found Summers in possession of these drugs in his vehicle, including four diazepam pills, two hydrocodone pills, and some marijuana.