Smithville Police Investigators and Federal Agents of the US Department of Treasury (IRS) raided a local business last Tuesday.
Smithville Police Chief Thomas J. Stufano says the business, known as Tienda Mexicano Sante Fe at 411 Short Mountain Road, has been under constant surveillance for the last three months by both agencies.
As a result of the investigation, Sandra Delafuente was charged with operating without a valid city occupational license to do business in the city. Other charges may be forthcoming.
Chief Stufano says “Smithville Police had the business under investigation for approximately three months due to numerous citizens’ complaints that official misrepresentations were being made to the Latin community. The business provides Notary, basic Administrative help for those needing help with Spanish translation. Citizens were complaining that representatives of the business were soliciting money from “illegal aliens” in exchange for Visa documents and “Green Cards. Authorities also received complaints that representatives of the business were claiming to be attorneys and could secure immigration status for illegal’s. A records check of the business with the Tennessee Department of Licensure did not show anyone having a valid law license to work in Tennessee.”
Chief Stufano says “Special Agents of the Internal Revenue Service followed up with the investigation and found a variety of financial concerns with the business and its representatives. Agents raided the business confiscating files, computers and numerous documents. The business was then closed and posted with US Government Investigative Seizure placards. The case is continuing.”
Meanwhile, on Saturday afternoon 50 year old Forrest Byrd of 815 Dry Creek Road, Smithville was arrested for Sale and Delivery of Schedule III Narcotics and Public Intoxication. Chief Stufano says officers originally responded to the address on an unwanted guest complaint. Upon arrival they found Byrd heavily intoxicated and in possession of Hydrocodone tablets. He was subsequently arrested and transported to the DeKalb County Jail. His bond is set at $26,000.
On Monday morning, 30 year old Bridgette Judkins was arrested for Simple Possession of Narcotics and Driving on a Revoked License. Officers responded to a citizen’s complaint of possible illegal narcotics activity in the area of Short Mountain Street and Highway 70. Upon arrival they met with Judkins. A records check disclosed Judkins had a Revoked Driver’s license. Upon her arrest she was found to also have a bag of suspected marijuana on her person. Judkins was arrested and transported to the Police Department and released with citations to appear in court.
Chief Stufano says Smithville Police are committed to investigating all crimes committed within the city and greatly appreciate the active stance the citizens are taking in the Crime Watch Program. Due to concerned citizens tips and confidential information Smithville Police have been able to successfully resolve numerous investigations.

One hundred seventy three fifth graders at Northside Elementary School participated in a DARE graduation ceremony Monday.
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 Northside were Kelsey Evans, Zachary Poss, Cody Hattaway, Ashley Hershman, Karem Bain, Devin Summers, and Kaylee Hale.
Each of those students read their essays during the DARE graduation program.
Judge Bratten Cook II presented checks for $50 each to two of the seven DARE essay winners, Karem Bain and Devin Summers, whose names were drawn for the special awards.
DARE Officer Tim Hearn, during his remarks, told the students that he has presented them a plan and hopes that they will apply it to their lives.
Completing his first year as a DARE officer, Hearn says he believes the program was very successful and feels like he has gained 173 new friends.
Sheriff Patrick Ray, who also spoke during the DARE graduation, told the students that “D.A.R.E. is a cooperative effort by the DeKalb Sheriff?s Department, DeKalb County School System, parents, and the community?all of us working together to help you make the right choices concerning drug use. I ask you today students, to take this valuable information and apply it to your lives, now and forever.”
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, and Trustee Sean Driver.

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department has made five arrests in recent days on various charges.
27 year old James Kelly Estes of Windy Cut Street Smithville was arrested Tuesday on a sealed indictment for sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (Dilaudid). Sheriff Patrick Ray says he was also charged with simple possession after deputies found a bag of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana on his person. His total bond is $21,000
23 year old Joseph Demaio of West Main Street Alexandria was arrested Tuesday for burglary, theft of property and three counts of forgery. Sheriff Ray says Demaio broke into an office building on Driver Road in Dowelltown and stole checks from the victim. Demaio then allegedly cashed three checks in the amounts of $218 on May 3rd, $318.00 on May 4th, and $112.64 on May 6th. His total bond is $21,000
22 year old Raymond Simpson of Church Street Dowelltown was charged Friday with vandalism and leaving the scene. Sheriff Ray says Simpson was on Old Blue Springs Road cutting donuts on the pavement of the Primitive Baptist Church’s parking lot. Upon leaving the parking lot and entering the roadway, Simpson lost control of his vehicle and flipped his vehicle over. Simpson damaged the pavement of the Church’s parking lot and left the scene. His total bond is $10,000.
40 year old Joey Young of Adcock Cemetery Road Smithville was charged Thursday with filing a false report. Young reported to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department on May 5th that a 1998 Subaru car was stolen from his business on Highway 70 East. Sheriff Ray says through an investigation, Detectives found the vehicle was wrecked and abandoned in Davidson County on April 28th. Young admitted to DeKalb County Detectives that he was the driver of the vehicle and he was arrested locally for filing the false report. More charges are pending in Davidson County.
40 year old Martin Riley of Poss Road Smithville was arrested on Friday for theft of property. Sheriff Ray says Riley sold a door frame, door handles, lights, and windows with a combined value of over $1,000 to an individual for $50. These items were reported stolen from Mid Seasons Court Smithville.
Sheriff Ray asks you to report anyone who is trying to sell items such as power tools or building supplies for a low cost. These items might be stolen. You may report this and any crimes to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department by calling 597-4935.

Local Option Sales tax collections in Smithville took a huge jump in April, compared to the same months the two previous years.
Smithville Mayor Taft Hendrixson says monthly figures released from the Tennessee Department of Revenue show that April 2007 net collections in Smithville came to $136,955, up over $40,000 compared to $94,257 in April 2006, and $95,367 in April 2005.
Mayor Hendrixson says these numbers indicate that Smithville is growing and making progress. With an expanding sales tax base and good management of city resources, Mayor Hendrixson says there is no foreseeable property tax increase on the horizon in the city.
Net collections for the county in April 2007 were $28,376, up from $27,927 in April 2006, but down from $31,523 in April 2005.
The Tennessee Department of Revenue, in the report, notes that normal Local Optopn Sale Tax collections may fluctuate. This could be due to additional collections on assessments or reductioons as a result of taxpayer refunds or returned checks. Should collection amounts increase significantly, it might be the result of an audit assessment.

Local Option Sales tax collections in Smithville took a huge jump in April, compared to the same months the two previous years.
Smithville Mayor Taft Hendrixson says monthly figures released from the Tennessee Department of Revenue show that April 2007 net collections in Smithville came to $136,955, up over $40,000 compared to $94,257 in April 2006, and $95,367 in April 2005.
Mayor Hendrixson says these numbers indicate that Smithville is growing and making progress. With an expanding sales tax base and good management of city resources, Mayor Hendrixson says there is no foreseeable property tax increase on the horizon in the city.
Net collections for the county in April 2007 were $28,376, up from $27,927 in April 2006, but down from $31,523 in April 2005.
The Tennessee Department of Revenue, in the report, notes that normal Local Option Sales Tax collections may fluctuate. This could be due to additional collections on assessments or reductions as a result of taxpayer refunds or returned checks. Should collection amounts increase significantly, it might be the result of an audit assessment.

Hundreds gathered at Green Brook Park on a rainy Friday night for the annual Relay for Life fundraiser sponsored by the DeKalb County Unit of the American Cancer Society.
The event has generated approximately $90,000. The final count has yet to be tallied.
The event featured lots of entertainment, food, games, an ugliest man contest, a cancer survivors walk and more.
State Senator Mae Beavers was on hand to present medallions to cancer survivors. Relay for Life has a personal significance for Beavers because she too is a cancer survivor