Judge David Patterson Hands Down Sentences in Criminal Court

Several people appeared in criminal court for sentencing Friday after entering pleas under negotiated settlements.
Judge David Patterson presided.
23 year old Emily Fare pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and received a three year sentence on probation. She must complete anger management classes. Fare is also under a restraining order to keep away from the victim.
33 year old Amy Ford pleaded guilty to initiation of a process to manufacture meth and received an eight year sentence to be served at 30%. She must undergo an alcohol and drug assessment. Ford was fined $2,000 and given jail credit of 169 days. The sentence is to run concurrently with a probation violation against her.
24 year old Travis D. Rich pleaded guilty to promotion of the manufacture of meth. He received a two year sentence but was given credit for 170 days of time served. He must undergo an alcohol and drug assessment and follow the recommendations. Rich was fined $2,000. The sentence is to run concurrently with a violation of probation case against him.
39 year old Michael Shane Wilcher pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor offense of unlawful photographing and was granted judicial diversion supervised probation for a period of 11 months and 29 days. He must perform eight hours of community service.
40 year old Amy Rachel Vanatta pleaded guilty to unlawful photographing and was granted judicial diversion supervised probation for a period of 11 months and 29 days. She must perform eight hours of community service
28 year old Steven Bly pleaded guilty to aggravated criminal trespassing and received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days all suspended to supervised probation. He must make restitution of $1,000 and is under a restraining order to keep away from the victim.
40 year old William Ray Roller, Jr. pleaded guilty to promotion of meth. He received a two year sentence and was fined $2,000. He was given jail credit of 305 days.
47 year old Scott Ferrell pleaded guilty to theft over $500 and received a two year sentence all suspended to supervised probation. The sentence is to run consecutively to a violation of probation case against him.
31 year old Chris M. Pack pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated burglary and received a two year sentence. He must make restitution in an amount yet to be determined. Pack was given jail credit of 114 days.
26 year old Brandon Thomas pleaded guilty to initiation of a process to manufacture methamphetamine. He received an eight year sentence on community corrections. Thomas was fined $2,000 and assessed a cost for cleanup.
32 year old Paul A. Willingham pleaded guilty to aggravated criminal trespassing and received a suspended sentence of 11 months and 29 days. He will be on supervised probation and he must make restitution to the victims in the amount of $10,800.
27 year old Jessica Dyal pleaded guilty to theft under $500 and was given ten days to serve. She will then be on supervised probation. Dyal must make a $75 contribution to the economic crime fund
27 year old Shannon Anderson pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and theft over $1,000. He received a five year sentence for the burglary and four years in the theft case all suspended to supervised probation by community corrections. The two sentences are to run concurrently. Anderson must pay $150 to the economic crime fund and undergo an alcohol and drug assessment. He was given jail credit of 34 days. Anderson must also pay restitution in an amount yet to be determined.
30 year old Kenneth Adam Wright pleaded guilty to a second offense of driving under the influence. He received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days suspended to CPS probation, except for 45 days to serve. Wright must undergo an alcohol and drug assessment and follow the recommended treatment. He must also participate in an alcohol safety education program and pay a fine of $615. He will lose his license for two years.
30 year old Tiffany Greer pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and received a three year sentence in the community corrections program. She must make a $150 contribution to the economic crime fund and pay $925 in restitution. Greer was given jail credit from August 28 to December 22, 2011.
41 year old Daniel Mayo pleaded guilty to possession of a schedule II controlled substance for resale and driving under the influence. He received a three year sentence in the drug case and 11 months and 29 days for the DUI all suspended to supervised probation except for time served. The sentences are to run concurrently. Mayo was fined $2,000 and he will lose his license for a period of time. Mayo was given jail credit of 246 days.
50 year old Kenny Herman pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days all suspended to community corrections supervised probation except for 48 hours to serve. He will lose his license for a period of time. The sentence is to run concurrently with his current probation. He is to report to jail when medically able.
26 year old Jessica R. Bogle pleaded guilty to promotion of the manufacture of methamphetamine and received a three year sentence suspended to 29 days of time served with the balance to be served on community corrections. She was fined $2,000. Bogle was given jail credit of 29 days.
29 year old Bradley Shane Redman pleaded guilty to assault and received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days on probation to run concurrently with state probation.
40 year old Wanda Mathis pleaded guilty to delivery of a schedule II controlled substance and received a three year sentence on TDOC probation. She must undergo an alcohol and drug assessment. Mathis was fined $2,000 and she must make restitution of $50 to the Smithville Police Department.
31 year old Jessie Adcock pleaded guilty to auto burglary and theft over $1,000. He received a two year sentence in each case to run concurrently with each other all suspended to supervised probation except for 90 days to serve. Adcock was given jail credit for 90 days.
23 year old Matthew Wilbur pleaded guilty to sale of a schedule VI controlled substance and received a two year sentence all suspended to supervised probation. He was fined $2,000.
27 year old William Corey Dickens pleaded guilty to two counts of theft over $1,000 and received a two year sentence in each case to run concurrently all suspended to supervised probation except for 250 days to serve. He must make restitution of $7,500 to one victim and $6,000 to the other. Dickens was given jail credit of 170 days.
29 year old Elizabeth Chalfant pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days all suspended except for time served. She will lose her license for a period of time and must undergo an alcohol and drug assessment.
36 year old Juan Adam Valdivia pleaded guilty to a second offense of driving on a revoked license and received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days on supervised probation. He will lose his license for a period of time.
37 year old James W. Goodman pleaded guilty to manufacture of methamphetamine and received a three year sentence to serve supervised by community corrections. He was fined $2,000.
24 year old Coty Lynn McCormick pleaded guilty to simple assault and received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days on probation to run consecutive to a probation violation against him. He must pay restitution to the victim in the amount of $43,506 receiving credit for any amount paid by the Tennessee Victims Compensation Fund.
42 year old Kathy Roller pleaded guilty to promotion of the manufacture of meth and possession of a schedule II controlled substance for resale and received a three year sentence to serve in each case to run concurrently. She was fined $2,000. Roller was given jail credit of 224 days.
42 year old David Anderson pleaded guilty to promotion of the manufacture of methamphetamine and received a two year sentence suspended to state probation. He must undergo an alcohol and drug assessment and follow recommendations. Anderson was fined $2,000 and given 170 days of jail credit.

Clayton R. McDonald

53 year old Clayton R. McDonald of White Pine died Friday at his home. He was a long time chemical plant technician at SI Group. The family has chosen to have a direct cremation at his request and a celebration of Clay’s life will be 4:00-8:00 p.m. Saturday, March 3 at Angelo’s at the Point Dandridge, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his father, John McDonald. Survivors include his mother, Connie McDonald of Maggie Valley, North Carolina; two sons, Caleb and wife Chala Cripps McDonald of Smithville, and Aaron McDonald of Austin, Texas; sister, Sandy McDonald of Morristown.; brother, Steve and wife June McDonald of Jefferson City; and special friend Sheila Noe of Morristown. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142 Memphis, TN. 38148. Arrangements by Mayes Family Services of Morristown, Downtown Chapel.

Reverend Michael Farr

56 year old Reverend Michael Farr, pastor of the Smithville Church of God, died Sunday evening at his residence in Tullahoma. The funeral will be Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. at the Smithville Church of God. Dr. Don Walker, Reverend Tim Cushman, and Reverend Terry Hart will officiate and burial will be at the Lebanon Cemetery in Cleveland, Tennessee at 1:00 p.m. (EST) on Wednesday. Visitation will be Tuesday from noon until 6:00 p.m. at the Smithville Church of God. Farr was preceded in death by his father, William Henry Farr. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Farr of Tullahoma. Daughters and sons-in-law, Bethany and Jerry Strait, Jr. and Paula and Paul Bentley, Jr. Granddaughters, Olivia and Annaly Bentley; a grandson, Jonah Strait; mother, Louise Farr; brothers, Bill and wife Jonnie Farr, Oliver and wife Faye Farr all of Lakeland, Georgia; Glenn and wife Chris Farr; James and wife Marie Farr; and Maynard and wife Barbara Farr all of Crossville. Sisters, Ruby and husband Curtis Cross, Lela and husband Raymond Gist, Linda and husband Terry Hawn, and Ann and husband Redgie Thompson. The family asks that donations be made in lieu of flowers to the CJD Foundation at P.O. Box 5312, Akron, Ohio, 44334, or to the Smithville Church of God at P.O. Box 305, Smithville, TN. 37166, or to the Avalon Hospice at 1802 N. Jackson Street Suite 900, Tullahoma, TN. 37388. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

David Ray Redmon

47 year old David Ray Redmon of Smithville died Sunday at DeKalb Community Hospital. He was former owner of Redmon’s Nursery and DeKalb Cemetery. He was a member of the Indian Creek Baptist Church. The funeral will be Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Mike Carpenter will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the service at 1:00 p.m. He is survived by two daughters, Hailey Redmon of Smithville and Ashley and husband Gary Murry of Soddy Daisy. One son, Bradley Redmon; Four grandchildren, Michael and Chrissy White, Emmalee Redmon, and Elijah Gingerich; Mother, Evalena Turner Redmon; Father, David Redmon; Sister, Wetoina “Sissy” Redmon; Companion, Deborah France; and mother of his children, Denise Redmon all of Smithville. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. The family requests that donations please be made to Love-Cantrell Funeral Home to help with burial expenses, in lieu of flowers.

Donald Franklin Evans

55 year old Donald Franklin Evans of Alexandria died Saturday at DeKalb Community Hospital. He was a member of the Country Side Baptist Church. The funeral will be Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Donald Owens, Dwayne Cornelius, and Jackie Gaddes will officiate and burial will be in Wilson County Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Monday from noon until 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 1:00 p.m. Evans was preceded in death by his father, John Evans and a son, Thomas Michael Evans. He is survived by his wife, Tammy Evans of Alexandria. Four children, John Michael and wife Mandy Evans and Amy and husband Drake Ricard all of Franklin, Kentucky, David Glen and wife Crissy Evans of Dowelltown, and Ashley and husband Matt Buchanan of Smithville. Nine grandchildren. Mother, Bessie Evans of Murfreesboro. A brother, Nathan Dean and wife Kathy Evans of California. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. The family asks that donations be made to DeKalb Funeral Chapel to help with funeral expenses, in lieu of flowers.

Sixth District School Board Seat Remains Vacant (SEE VIDEO HERE)

The county commission can’t decide on who should take Bruce Parsley’s place on the school board in the sixth district.
Two persons, Boyd Trapp and Doug Stephens, want the position but the county commission was deadlocked six to six Monday night on which of the two should get the seat.
County commissioners voting for Trapp were Elmer Ellis, Jr from the first district, Bobby Joines from the second district, Jerry Scott from the third district, Jeff Barnes and Marshall Ferrell from the sixth district, and Jimmy Poss from the seventh district.
Those voting for Stephens were Jack Barton from the second district, Bradley Hendrix from the third district, Wayne Cantrell and David McDowell from the fourth district, Jerry Adcock from the fifth district, and Larry Summers from the seventh district.
Two members, John Green from the fifth district, and Mason Carter from the first district were absent Monday night.
County Mayor Mike Foster could have broken the tie but chose not to do so.
Later in the meeting, following a short recess, the commissioners took another vote but the result was the same, a tie.
The commission will likely try again at the next meeting on March 26. The position will remain vacant until then.
Last month, the commission voted to accept applications from anyone in the sixth district who was eligible to apply. The deadline for receiving applications was February 6th. Trapp and Stephens were the only persons who responded.
The commission conducted interviews of both men last Thursday night during an all-committees meeting and scheduled a vote to select one of the two men during Monday night’s regular monthly meeting (last night).
Parsley, who was elected in 2008, resigned as of December 31, 2011 to pursue a teaching career. His term expires August 31st. The person appointed by the commission to fill the vacancy will serve through August 31st.
Both Trapp and Stephens have said they intend to run for a full four year term in the August County General Election.

County Commission Makes It Easier For Some Stores To Get Beer License (SEE VIDEO OF VOTE HERE)

The DeKalb County Commission has made it easier for some businesses in the county to get a beer license.
Even though the issue was not on the agenda, the commissioners Monday night by a vote of seven to five adopted a motion to reduce the minimum distance requirement from 2,000 feet to 800 feet between stores seeking to sell beer and places of public gathering such as churches and schools.
The change becomes effective immediately.
Fourth District Commissioner David McDowell made the motion to rescind the measure establishing the existing 2,000 foot rule and set 800 feet as the new minimum distance requirement. Third District member Bradley Hendrix offered a second to the motion.
Those voting in favor in addition to McDowell and Hendrix were Second District Commissioner Jack Barton, Fourth District Commissioner Wayne Cantrell, Fifth District Commissioner Jerry Adcock, and Seventh District Commissioners Jimmy Poss and Larry Summers.
Members voting against the change were First District Commissioner Elmer Ellis, Jr., Second District Commissioner Bobby Joines, Third District Commissioner Jerry Scott, and Sixth District Commissioners Jeff Barnes and Marshall Ferrell.
Two members of the commission, John Green of the fifth district and Mason Carter of the first district were absent Monday night.
During last Thursday night’s all-committee’s meeting, Jewel Redmon, owner of Jewel’s Market & Pizza on the Cookeville Highway, asked the commissioners to re-visit this issue during their meeting Monday night (last night). Redmon has been trying for months to get a beer license at his store but has been denied by the county beer board because the store is too close to the new First Assembly of God Church.
While the issue was not specifically listed on the agenda, it was brought up under other business. Fifth district member Jerry Adcock made a motion not to raise the issue again for at least six months “whether it passes or not” this time (Monday night) since it has been a matter of discussion for several months. But his motion failed to receive a second.
County Attorney Hilton Conger said the commission could not take action to limit a member from “putting a motion on the floor”.
First District member Elmer Ellis, Jr. suggested that more notice be given so that the public has a better opportunity to express their opinions on a matter that is so controversial
Seventh District member Larry Summers said that the public was given an opportunity to share their views two months ago, and some people did address the commission, when the issue was put to a vote the first time.
In December, some members of the commission tried to change the distance requirement from 2,000 feet to 400 feet but that proposal died on a seven to seven tie vote. Eight votes were needed for passage that night and County Mayor Mike Foster refused to break the tie.
The 2,000 foot distance regulation is the maximum allowed under state law and it has not been changed since the county adopted it in October 1939. The county has the authority to make the minimum distance something less than 2,000 feet but it cannot be greater than 2,000 feet.
With the change, any business owner who meets all other requirements may now apply for a permit to sell beer as long as his or her establishment is within 800 feet of a church, school, or place of public gathering measuring in a direct line, the nearest point to the nearest point. From the building to the building.

Smithville Firefighters Called to Work Shed Fire

Smithville Volunteer Firefighters responded to a fire Monday afternoon at a work shed at 815 Dry Creek Road.
Fire Chief Charlie Parker said the property belongs to Dwight Mathis but that Forrest “Frosty” Byrd has it rented. Chief Parker said according to Byrd, some sparks ignited the fire while workers were cutting and grinding some metal.
The shed received fire and smoke damage but firefighters were able to bring it under control. No one was hurt.

Three Sentenced in Bank Robbery

Three people charged in the robbery of Liberty State Bank at Liberty in August 2010 pleaded guilty under negotiated settlements in criminal court Friday
40 year old Craig Hill, 46 year old Ricky Estes, and 27 year old Roxanna Landis all of Smithville were each indicted on the charge of aggravated robbery in April, 2011.
Standing before Judge David Patterson Friday, Hill pleaded guilty to robbery and received a ten year sentence to serve in the Tennessee Department of Corrections as a range III offender. The term is to run concurrently with any other sentence against him. He was given jail credit of 559 days.
Hill, who is accused of actually committing the robbery in which $6,000 was taken, turned himself in at the DeKalb County Jail on Saturday, August 14th, 2010 eleven days after the robbery on Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010.
Estes and Landis were arrested on August 20th, 2010.
Estes pleaded guilty to facilitation of aggravated robbery. He received a six year sentence in special needs as a range one offender. The sentence is to run concurrently with a violation of probation case against him. Estes was given jail credit of 553 days
Landis pleaded guilty to facilitation of attempted aggravated robbery. She received a five year TDOC sentence suspended upon time served. Her probation will be supervised by community corrections. Landis was given jail credit of 123 days.
After Hill’s arrest, Sheriff Patrick Ray said that “On August 3rd, 2010 through an investigation into the robbery, Hill was identified through (bank surveillance) video tapes and other investigative tools to be the person responsible for the robbery. Lawmen had been searching for Hill ever since. Hill, who had been living out of town since this incident, came to the DeKalb County Jail to turn himself in on a violation of probation warrant. While there, he was questioned by Sheriff’s Department Detectives about the robbery and admitted his involvement in the robbery of Liberty State Bank”.
The warrant for his arrest alleged that “On or about the 3rd day of August 2010, Craig Anthony Hill did enter the Liberty State Bank in Liberty Tennessee presenting the teller with a note stating “Give me the money in 20’s and 100’s, I have a gun” thus putting the teller in fear of her life. The teller at that point took the cash from her drawer and gave it to Craig Hill as instructed. The amount of money taken during the robbery was in excess of $6,000.”
According to Sheriff Ray, Estes “aided in the robbery of Liberty State Bank by being involved in the planning of the robbery and driving the get away car. He also shared in the proceeds from the robbery.”
Sheriff Ray added that Landis “aided by being involved in the planning of the robbery, freely leaving in the get away vehicle, and sharing in the proceeds of the robbery”.

UCDD Board Places Wendy Askins and Larry Webb on Administrative Leave (SEE VIDEO OF MEETING HERE)

In an emergency meeting held Friday morning in Cookeville, the board of directors of the Upper Cumberland Development District voted 16 to 5 to place Executive Director Wendy Askins on administrative leave for 30 days along with her deputy director, Larry Webb of DeKalb County, pending the outcome of an internal investigation.
The action comes as the result of a NewsChannel 5 investigation over recent allegations regarding the Living the Dream project and alleged mismanagement of UCDD funds.
Neither Askins nor Webb were present at the meeting
The five members voting against administrative leave preferred an immediate dismissal of Askins.
Both Askins and Webb will be paid for two weeks of the 30-day leave. As part of the motion, the board also voted to take their credit and gas cards, along with keys and vehicles and they will not be able to sign any checks while the investigation is underway.
Earl Carwile was appointed as interim director and Ashley Pealer was named as interim deputy.
Meanwhile, the board voted to rescind a vote in a previous meeting adopting language from bogus minutes approving a transfer of $300,000 to Living the Dream and asked attorneys to get the $300,000 back by whatever legal means is necessary.
The board also voted to seek new auditors while requesting a state investigation of the man who has been their auditor for several years, Tom Jones. In light of the revelations by NewsChannel 5’s investigation, board members question why Jones has never turned up any findings during his audits of agency finances.