A 38 year old Smithville man was arrested by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department Thursday when officers found him with drugs after trying to stop him for speeding.
Ernest Paul (Hot Rod) Barnwell of Hawkins Drive was charged with possession of a schedule II drug (Dilaudid) for sale and delivery, possession of a schedule III drug (Suboxone) for sale and delivery, possession of drug paraphernalia, 3rd offense of driving on a revoked license, and possession of brass knucks which is a prohibited weapon.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says on Thursday while on an extra patrol on King Ridge Road, Dowelltown, a deputy spotted a 1993 Dodge Intrepid driving at a high rate of speed. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver kept going. The car turned onto New Home Road and stopped at a residence. The driver, Barnwell, exited the vehicle and ran behind a house and attempted to enter the residence through the backdoor.
Officers found a container on Barnwell containing 17 Dilaudid pills and 1 Suboxone pill. They also found in Barnwell’s car, a duffle bag containing 2 syringes and a set of brass knucks. In addition, officers discovered that Barnwell was driving on a revoked license.
Barnwell’s bond was set at $111,000 and he will appear in court on February 19th.
Deputies also seized Barnwell’s vehicle and $48 in cash.
Meanwhile on Friday deputies responded to a fight call on Potts Camp Road, Smithville in the Jefferson Community.
Upon arrival, Sheriff Ray says the officers found 46 year old Joseph Allen Maples, 36 year old Louise Ann Gorney, and 18 year old Timothy Christopher Schanck of Potts Camp Road, Smithville, and a 17 year old male, who was visiting, in an intoxicated state.
After investigating, officers discovered that Gorney had bought a 12 pack of beer and brought it to the Potts Camp home where she and her boyfriend, Maples, allowed Schanck and the 17 year old to consume the alcohol knowing the two were under the legal drinking age of 21.
Maples and Gorney were charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Their bond was set at $1,500 each. Schanck was charged with under age consumption and his bond was set at $1,000. All three will appear in court on February 12th. A petition will be taken on the juvenile for underage consumption.
On Thursday, deputies stopped 24 year old Joshua R. Cripps of Hodges Road, Smithville on Highway 56 South for driving with his lights off after dark.
Sheriff Ray says upon running Cripps’ drivers license, deputies learned that it was suspended. Officers also found a knife with a blade length of over 6 inches located between the seats of the vehicle which Cripps was apparently using for protection.
Cripps was arrested for driving on a suspended license and possession of a prohibited weapon. Officers also issued Cripps a citation for driving with his lights off after dark. Cripps’ bond was set at $5,000.00 and he will appear in court on February 26th.
On Friday, 22 year old Christopher Peter Mulford of Ginger Drive Smithville was charged with public intoxication after he reported to the DeKalb County Jail to serve weekends for a drug offense. Sheriff Ray says correctional officers noticed Mulford to have slurred speech and he was unsteady on his feet. Mulford did admit to taking Hydrocodone and Xanax before coming to the jail. Mulford’s bond was set at $1,000 and he will appear in court on February 11th.
On Saturday, deputies responded to a fight call on Page Drive in Smithville. While at the scene, 27 year old Gary Thomas Woodard of Page Drive pulled up in his vehicle. Deputies asked Woodard for his license and discovered that he was driving on a suspended driver’s license. Woodard was charged with driving on a suspended driver’s license (4th offense). His bond
was set at $4,000 and he will appear in court on February 11th.
On Sunday while on a traffic stop on Highway 70 East, deputies spotted a vehicle coming toward them at a high rate of speed. Sheriff Ray says the vehicle came close to hitting the officers. One of the deputies took off after the vehicle and observed it driving in the turning lane. The officer stopped it and found the driver to be 39 year old Juan Manuel Rivera of Short Mountain Street, Smithville. Deputies noticed a strong odor of alcohol on Rivera’s person and he was very unsteady on his feet. Rivera did admit to consuming alcohol. He was charged with driving under the influence and his bond was set at $1,500. He will appear in court on February 12th..
On Monday, February 2nd, officers responded to a reckless driver call on Rosewood Lane in Smithville. and stopped 38 year old Jerry Wayne Harper of Rosewood Lane. After talking to and then allowing Harper to leave, officers observed him go into a residence and assault his
girlfriend by hitting her in the chest with his fist and pulling her hair. The officers got to Harper and the victim and placed him in custody. When the officers told Harper to put his hands behind his back, he refused. Deputies were able to cuff Harper and they discovered that he had a knife on his belt with a blade exceeding 5 inches in length which he apparently kept for personal protection. Harper was charged with domestic assault, possession of a prohibited weapon, and resisting arrest. Harper’s bond was set at $11,000 and he will appear in court on February 12th.
Archived News & Obituaries