Three Charged with Forgery

Three women were arrested by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department last week on separate forgery charges.
29 year old Melinda Beth Murphy of Short Mountain Highway, Smithville faces two counts of forgery. Her bond is $10,000 and she will be in court January 22. Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Thursday, January 8 Murphy passed two forged checks at a store in Liberty without the victim’s consent. One check was in the amount of $110 and the other was for $90.
39 year old Jo Ann Luna of Bright Hill Road, Smithville is charged with one count of forgery and one count of resisting stop, frisk, halt, or arrest. Her bond is $6,500 and she will be in court January 22. Sheriff Ray said that on Thursday, January 8 Luna passed a forged check at the same store in Liberty in the amount of $200 . A deputy saw her trying to cash the check. As the officer placed her in custody, Luna tried to pull away from him in an attempt to avoid arrest.
27 year old Molly Sue Lawrence of Highland Street, Smithville is charged with one count of forgery. Her bond is $5,000 and she will be in court on January 15. Sheriff Ray said that on Tuesday, January 6 Lawrence passed a forged check for $200 at a bank in Alexandria without the victim’s consent.
These forgery cases were investigated by detectives and deputies of the sheriff’s department.
Ginger Elaine Moore of McMinnville Highway, Smithville is charged with simple possession of a schedule VI drug (marijuana). Her bond is $1,500 and she will be in court January 22. Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, January 5 a sheriff’s department drug detective went to a residence on South Judkins Lane. Upon arrival the detective knocked and Moore opened the door. The officer smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the residence. Moore allowed him to come inside and talk to her but as the detective entered the home, Moore went to her bedroom and tried to hide a wooden box which contained .28 ounces of marijuana. Moore was placed under arrest.
23 year old Eric Dewayne Judkins of Hendrickson Road, Smithville is charged with two counts of theft of property under $500. His bond is $5,000 and he will be in court January 29. Sheriff Ray said that on November 18 Judkins went to an auto parts store in Smithville and bought an ignition coil in the amount of $84.50 and charged it to another person without his consent. The next day, Judkins went to an auto parts store and bought a control module in the amount of $115. 23 and charged it to another person without his consent. The cases were investigated by a sheriff’s department detective.
Brandi Louise Murphy-Proffer of Barnes Mill Road, Smithville is charged with criminal impersonation. Her bond is $1,500 and she will be in court January 29. Sheriff Ray said that Tuesday, January 6 a sheriff’s department detective went to an address on Jefferson Road to conduct an investigation. Upon arrival, he spoke with a woman who identified herself as Lonnie Lykens. The detective later learned that she had lied about her name. When confronted, the woman admitted to using a false name because she had warrants against her from Michigan. She then gave her true identity and was placed under arrest.
Meanwhile, Proffer’s boyfriend, 26 year old Dustin Matthew Brewer is charged with being a fugitive from justice. His bond is $200,000 and he will be in court January 22. Sheriff Ray said that on Wednesday, January 7 Brewer, who had a parole absconded warrant against him from Michigan, was located at a residence on Barnes Mill Road. The warrant was confirmed through the National Crime Information Center and he was placed under arrest and held without bond. Brewer made a court appearance last Thursday, January 8 and signed a waiver of extradition. Michigan authorities have ten days to pick him up.
23 year old Amanda Marie Hatfield of Adcock Cemetery Road, Smithville is charged with domestic assault. Her bond is $2,500 and she will be in court on January 15. Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, January 10 a deputy responded to Kings Court due to a domestic dispute. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with a man who said he and his wife, Hatfield had gotten into an argument over her wanting to see his phone. The man said when he refused to give her his phone, Hatfield got on top of him and grabbed him around the neck. He then pushed her away and went to call for help. The man had red finger marks and scratches on both sides of his neck. Hatfield was determined to have been the primary aggressor and she was brought to the jail for booking. Warren county authorities also had a hold on her for separate offenses. After she made bond here, Hatfield was taken to Warren County.