A 45 year old truck driver, hauling freight to Shiroki North America, Inc.,was arrested Friday after police found him possibly under the influence and with drug paraphernalia in the vehicle.
Smithville Police Chief Richard Jennings says James Martin Ducket of 361 Morgan Branch Road, Weaverville, North Carolina is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. Ducket’s bond is $1,000 and his court date is May 1st.
In his report, Officer Travis Bryant states that on April 18th at 9:00 a.m., he, Officer Randy King, and K-9 Officer Bradley Tatrow responded to SW Manufacturing at 1111 West Broad Street in regard to a truck driver acting strangely and possibly under the influence of an unknown substance. Contact was made with the driver and he identified himself as James M. Ducket.
Officer Bryant states that while the officers were talking to the driver, it became apparent that he was under the influence of an unknown substance. The officers asked for permission to search the truck and they were given consent. The K-9 was brought in and the dog hit on a bag in the vehicle. Upon further investigation, a small leather bag was found containing one glass pipe, two spoons, and several resale baggies that were empty. Several empty straws, other baggies and medicine bottle containers were also found in the truck. The Tennessee Highway Patrol was requested to check the driver’s logs and they were found to be inaccurate.
Meanwhile, in another case, 37 year old Michael Edward Brown of 6763 Old Mill Hill Road, Dowelltown is charged with theft of property over $10,000 and theft of property over $500.
Chief Jennings says Brandy Fitts reported to police that she had spent the night last Thursday visiting her cousin at Royal Oak Apartments, 670 Miller Road and that when she awoke the next morning she discovered that someone had dumped the contents from her purse, taken her keys, $500 in cash, and had stolen her 2007 Plymouth van which was parked outside.
Fitts identified Brown as a possible suspect in the theft, since he had also been at her cousin’s house Thursday night but was gone Friday morning.
Police recovered the vehicle on Friday in the city and arrested Brown on Monday.
Brown is under a $12,500 bond and his court date is May 29th
The case was investigated by Detective Sergeant Jerry Hutchins, Jr.
In another case, 43 year old David Spencer Vaughn of 714 South College Street is charged with theft of property over $5,000, theft under $500, and 14 counts of fraudulent use of a credit card.
Vaughn is accused of stealing a 2000 Honda Passport SUV and a credit card belonging to his father, Eugene Vaughn of 714 South College Street. The alleged thefts occurred on Monday, April 14th.
Vaughn was arrested Saturday at the home of a friend on Restview Avenue.
His bond is $42,500 and he will be in court on the charges May 29th.
The case was investigated by Detective Sergeant Jerry Hutchins, Jr.
Meanwhile, 26 year old Josh Wayne Goff of 416 Mocking Bird Drive, Dunlap is charged with a third offense of driving on a suspended license
Officer Matt Holmes, in his report, states that he observed Goff driving south on Short Mountain Street in a Honda Accord on Monday morning. Another officer advised Holmes that Goff did not have a valid drivers license. Officer Holmes stopped the vehicle on Odom Street and discovered that Goff’s license was suspended for failure to satisfy citations. Goff’s bond is $3,000 and his court date is April 30th.