The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department made several arrests during Graduation Night road blocks on Friday evening.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says a total of 444 vehicles were stopped and checked on Highway 70 west between Liberty and Smithville and one arrest was made, 39 year old Napoleon Wainwright of Sassafrass Lane, Woodbury.
Sheriff Ray says Wainwright was charged with simple possession of marijuana after the county drug dog Banshee hit on Wainwright’s vehicle.
Wainwright was also charged with criminal impersonation after he gave officers a name other than his own, when identifying himself.
Sheriff Ray speculated that Wainwright may have given the false name because he currently has outstanding warrants against him in Cannon County.
Wainwright’s bond on the local charges is $3,000. His court date is June 21st.
Sheriff Ray says a total of 466 vehicles were stopped on Highway 56 south near WJLE and two arrests were made, 22 year old Nayeli Herrera of Bell Street, Smithville and 19 year old Jerardo Perez of Luttrell Avenue, Smithville.
Herrera was charged with no drivers license. Her bond was set at $1,000 and her court date is May 31st.
Perez is charged with underage consumption of an alcoholic beverage. Bond for Perez is $1,000.
In a roadblock on Highway 70 east, 134 vehicles were stopped and Sheriff Ray says two citations were issued for no drivers license and no insurance.
26 year old Garth Cantrell of Pine Grove Road, Smithville was also arrested at the road block for simple possession of marijuana and possession with intent to sell or deliver over 22 grams of crack cocaine after the county drug dog Banshee hit on his vehicle.
Sheriff Ray says while Cantrell was being detained, he took a set of handcuffs and scraped them down the hood of a county patrol car, causing damage to the hood. For that, Cantrell was charged with vandalism.
Cantrell’s bond is set at $57,500 and his court date is May 31st. Cantrell’s 1997 Chevy Tahoe was also seized.
Later that night, 49 year old Johnny Whiteaker of Dibrell Lucky Road, McMinnville was arrested and charged with DUI. His court date is June 21st.
Meanwhile, 24 year old Jeremy Loader of Bethel Road was arrested on May 15th, after being involved in a one car motor vehicle accident on Holmes Creek Road. Loader was charged with DUI and his bond was set at $1,000. His court date is June 21st.
43 year old Sandi Fults of Pea Ridge Road Liberty was also arrested recently on two counts of forgery. Her bond is set at $2,000 and her court date is June 21st.
Sheriff Ray says Fults found a check book at a gas station in Liberty, removed two of the checks from the book, forged them and cashed them locally for $85.00 each. She went to Cannon County and cashed at least one check there. Charges are pending against her in Cannon County.

Smithville Police were out in force remaining vigilant for drunk drivers during high school graduation night.
Smithville Police Chief Thomas J. Stufano says numerous members of the department worked in two teams on opposite ends of the city running radar and watching for drunk driving. The overtime was covered by a Governor’s Highway Safety Grant obtained earlier in the year. Officers made numerous arrests for Driving Under the Influence, Revoked Driver’s License, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Under Age Drinking.
40 year old Marilyn Strayn of 1600 Kingridge Road, Smithville was arrested for DUI and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Strayn was initially stopped for traveling over the centerline numerous times while driving. During the course of the investigation it was found that she was DUI and also had syringes tucked in her clothing. She was arrested and booked into the DeKalb County Jail under a $3,000 bond.
20 year old Oscar Carreon of 402 Wade Street, Smithville was arrested for Driving on a Revoked License and Underage Drinking. During the traffic stop officers found numerous empty beer bottles in the console. Carreon was arrested just a few months ago for the same offense. A second person, a 17 year old juvenile, was also found to be intoxicated and arrested. Carreon was transported to the DeKalb County Jail on a $2,000 Bond.
Smithville Police also arrested 46 year old Jackie Mullican of 322 Petty Road, in Smithville for Driving Under the Influence 2nd Offense and Driving on a Revoked License. Chief Stufano says officers responded to a motor vehicle accident on West Bryant Street and found that Mullican was very unsteady on his feet during the interview and had a heavy odor of alcohol on his breath. He says Mullican admitted to drinking 15 to 20 beers prior to getting into his vehicle to drive. He was arrested and transported to the DeKalb County Jail on a $2,000 bond.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, May 15th Smithville Officers arrested 24 year old Jonathon Roberts of Whindom Street, Hendersonville for DUI 2nd Offense and Driving on a Revoked Driver’s License. Chief Stufano says Smithville Police had been alerted by a DeKalb County Officer who had the vehicle stopped on Kendra Drive. Further investigation showed that the driver was intoxicated and had been driving in a reckless manner as observed by the Deputy. Smithville Police arrested Roberts and transported him to the DeKalb County Jail under a $2,000 bond.
Chief Stufano says “The Smithville Police Department appreciates the vested interest residents are taking in reporting crime in the neighborhoods. This partnership is making a significant difference in detouring crime and drugs in our city.”

Thirty six fifth graders at DeKalb West School participated in a DARE graduation ceremony Thursday.
The Drug Abuse Resistance Education program was conducted by DARE Officer Tim Hearn of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department.
Each student prepares an essay during the course and those with the best essays from each class are recognized and awarded.
This year’s essay winners at DeKalb West were Cassie Cain and McKenzie Poteete
Judge Bratten Cook II presented checks for $50 to both Cain and Poteete.
DARE Officer Tim Hearn, during his remarks, told the students that he too was once a student in the DARE program. “This day is special for me because this is my first DARE graduation at the West School as a DARE officer and because twelve years ago, I sat in this same gym and graduated from the DARE program myself. I want you to take the knowledge and skills you have learned and use it to remain true to your commitment to avoid drugs and violence.”
Sheriff Patrick Ray, who also spoke during the DARE graduation, congratulated the students on their accomplishments. ” Over the last few weeks, Deputy Tim has taught you lesson plans and how to focus on four major areas. He has provided you accurate information about drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. He has taught you good decision making skills. He has shown you how to recognize and resist peer pressure, and he has given you ideas for positive alternatives to drug use.”
“Deputy Tim has also shown you ways for positive self esteem and how to make positive decisions on your own. Through role-playing, lectures, question and answer, and use of the specialized DARE workbooks, you have been taught the negative consequences of drug use.”
“If the need ever arises that you need someone to talk to, someone to cry on, or just to talk to in general, you will always be welcomed to talk to Deputy Tim or me. Thank you and congratulations on this special day.”
With the help of the DeKalb County Mayor, Mike Foster, and the DeKalb County Commission, money from the Sheriff’s Department drug fund account was used to fund this year’s DARE Program at Northside Elementary School and DeKalb West School, after the state cut funding for DARE.
Other elected public officials on hand for the DARE graduation program, in addition to Sheriff Ray and Judge Cook, were Circuit Court Clerk Katherine Pack, Register of Deeds Jeff McMillen, Trustee Sean Driver, County Mayor Mike Foster, Assessor of Property Timothy “Fud” Banks, and Constable Wayne Vanderpool.

Members of the Class of 2007 said their goodbyes to DeKalb County High School on the occasion of their graduation Friday night.
Three of the most outstanding members of the class were singled out for special recognition. This year’s White Rose Awards went to Kristen James and Andrew Moore while the Citizenship Award was presented to Brandon Shaw.
The White Rose is presented to a boy and girl from the class for outstanding achievement and leadership, academics, and other activities. The Citizenship Award is given to the senior who has demonstrated outstanding service, devotion and loyalty to DeKalb County High School.
A total of 146 students received diplomas during the commencement, each one shaking hands with Director of Schools Mark Willoughby as their names were called by Principal Kathy Hendrix.
In remarks to the Class, Valedictorian Courtney Rhody admonished her fellow graduates to appreciate the journey as they focus on their destination. ” I can vividly remember as a kid riding in the car, strapped in the backseat and literally every two minutes asking ARE WE THERE YET? HOW MUCH FURTHER? And I can remember my granny telling me, look out the window, Honey,look at all the pretty trees and flowers and horses and cows, enjoy the view. I’m just now beginning to realize exactly what she meant. It’s all about appreciating the journey and not getting overly focused on the destination. We can all benefit from that philosophy, take the time to enjoy the view. Think of life as a terminal condition because if you do, you will live it with joy and passion, as it ought to be lived. Laugh at most things in life, cry at a few, and be neutral at hardly anything. And most importantly, enjoy the journey.”
Salutatorian Kendra Adcock urged the class to treasure the memories of their years at DeKalb County High School. ” As you look back on the last four years, I’m sure you will all remember them differently. Some of you will think of them as the best four years of your life and others, the worst. Some of you will think of them as the most fun you ever had. Some of you will remember the friendships you created, or all the things you have learned and will carry them with you wherever you go. As you all leave tonight, you will each embark on your own journeys. You will visit many new places and meet a lot of new people, but through it all, I hope you will not forget what you have learned here at DeKalb County High School. Do not look at this as just the end of four high school years, look at today as the beginning of the rest of your life.”
Class President Ashlee Moss encouraged the seniors to trust in the Lord. ” As we cross the stage tonight, we are beginning a new journey, the journey of the rest of our lives. Always remember to ?Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths’ (Proverbs 3:5-6). God bless each and every one of you and know that you will always be in my thoughts and prayers.”
Principal Kathy Hendrix, in her remarks to the class, admonished the graduates to not be discouraged on the path toward their goals. “Life offers many challenges and opportunities. It is the same with people who succeed in anything. Rarely is the first effort a great success. You are standing on the shoulders of your ancestors. If you really look, you can profit by the successes and the failures of older people. Let us hope that you will do this. Hold fast to the principles that you have been living by. Honesty, goodness, humility, perseverance, hard work, patience, and faith are important attributes for anyone to have and I encourage you to continue to develop these characteristics. These will enable you to take full advantage of offers that may come your way. The faculty and staff at DeKalb County High School join with your relatives and many other friends in wishing you success and happiness. I encourage each of you to be good citizens and to be life long learners.”