Sheriff Patrick Ray is warning DeKalb Countians about a recent scam.
According to Sheriff Ray “Victims in the County have been calling me about receiving checks in the mail and a letter telling you to deposit the checks, how much money to keep, and where to forward the remaining money. One victim had gotten e-mails and telephone calls from the scammer.” Sheriff Ray says “This is a scam, so do not cash the checks. The checks are no good and you could be responsible for paying the money back. Some of the checks have been up in the thousands of dollars. If you receive one of these checks, you may contact me or someone from my office or simply destroy the checks by tearing them up. Our office has contacted the F.B.I. about this scam.”
Meanwhile, in other crime news, On Monday, September 3rd, 47 year old Mike Alton Baugh of Atelia Drive, Antioch, Tennessee was arrested on Highway 70 west for 2nd offense DUI, Violation of the Implied Consent Law, Driving on a Revoked Driver’s License, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Violation of the Open Container Law, Simple Possession of a Schedule VI Drug (Marijuana), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Baugh and a female passenger were in a 1998 Dodge pickup truck towing a pontoon boat traveling west on Highway 70 West. Baugh and the passenger started throwing each other’s belongings out of the windows of the vehicle. Baugh suddenly jerked his vehicle around to make a u-turn in the middle of the road when the pontoon boat he was towing came off and landed in a private drive. Baugh returned to where his items where thrown out, retrieved the items, and left his passenger beside of the pontoon boat. Baugh fled the scene and was eventually stopped in Liberty. Baugh was intoxicated and had in his possession a small amount of Marijuana, hemostats, a pair of alligator clips, and a half bottle of wine. A check of Baugh’s license revealed it was revoked due to a DUI. Baugh’s truck was also seized. Bond was set at $6,000 and he is to appear in General Sessions Court October 10th.
52 year old Larry Dale Lepley of Miller Road Smithville was charged Wednesday, September 5th with Violation of The Sexual Offender Act. Lepley’s listed address was checked and deputies found out that he had moved and failed to report his new address. Bond for Lepley was set at $10,000 and his court date is September 20th.
26 year old Julie Elaine Moore of Cookeville Highway Smithville was charged Friday, September 7th with 2 counts of forgery. Moore took two stolen checks and passed them at a business in Liberty. The checks were in the amount of $100.00 each. Her court date is September 13th and her bond is $10,000.
19 year old Samantha Rene Devault of Highland Drive Smithville was arrested Saturday for Theft of Property over $500.00. Devault stole three diamond rings, valued at over $500.00 from a residence on Shady Drive Smithville. The rings have been recovered. Her bond was set at $10,000 and her court date is October 11th.
On Sunday, September 9th , deputies were dispatched to Jacobs Pillar Road Smithville in answer to a call of a suspicious vehicle setting in the middle of the road. When Deputies arrived, they found 26 year old Luis Alberto Villanunva passed out in the vehicle. Villanunva’s vehicle was running, in gear, and Villanunva had his foot on the brake. Villanunva was arrested for DUI 1ST offense and Driving without a license. His court date is October 4th and his bond is $1,000.
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