A 53 year old man, accused of trying to have sex with a woman who was unconscious on drugs more than a year ago, entered a best interest guilty plea to a charge of attempted rape Friday, February 25th in DeKalb County Criminal Court.
Judge Leon Burns, Jr. gave Robert M. Turner a three year sentence, all suspended except one year to serve. He was given jail credit for the one year he has already served and will be released on supervised probation. His name will be on the state sex offender registry and he is under a restraining order to stay away from the victim. The offense occurred on February 2nd, 2010.
Meanwhile, in other cases Friday, 36 year old James Mitch Johnson pleaded guilty to forgery and received a two year sentence, suspended to probation. He must make restitution of $5,500 to the victim and contribute $150 to the economic crime fund. Johnson allegedly had fifteen checks belonging to a Watertown man and he forged one of them and passed it at an Alexandria bank for $5,500 on August 21st.
26 year old Edward Judkins, Jr. pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and received a three year sentence to serve. He was given jail credit of 211 days.
Judkins was arrested on Tuesday, July 27th after a witness spotted him at the scene of a burglary in progress in the Jefferson Community. According to Sheriff Patrick Ray the witness apparently noticed a strange vehicle at the residence on Jefferson Road, stopped to investigate, and saw Judkins running away. Officers were notified and quickly arrived on the scene and found that someone had broken the door glass and made entry into the home. A weedeater, chainsaw, some horse drawn equipment (double tree), and an axe were taken from the home and loaded onto Judkins’ vehicle. Judkins was later arrested and charged in the case.
31 year old Carlos Godsey pleaded guilty to theft over $1,000 and received a two year sentence, all suspended to supervised probation. He was given credit for one and a half month of time served. Godsey must also make restitution of $2,000 to the victim. The sentence is to run consecutively with his probation in another case.
Sheriff Ray said that on Wednesday, August 11th, Godsey went to a location on the Alexandria to Dismal Road, Alexandria and stole a 20 horsepower boat motor, an air compressor, a truck and car transmission, and a 1976 International scout body, valued at $1,500.
32 year old Darnell Gurley pleaded guilty to obtaining prescription by fraud and received a two year sentence, all suspended to supervised probation. He has requested judicial diversion and a hearing is set for April 11th. Gurley was given jail credit of 180 days and he was fined $2,000.
Gurley was accused of altering a prescription in order to obtain more pain medication. He was arrested by Smithville Police Officer Matt Holmes on Wednesday, June 16th.
Gurley, who had a written prescription for pain, took it to Wal-Mart Pharmacy where it was determined that the prescription had been altered. Gurley admitted to adding to the amounts of pills above what the prescription called for because he needed more medication for his pain and did not have the money to see another doctor.
60 year old Gwynn Prater pleaded guilty to theft under $500 and received a suspended sentence of 11 months and 29 days. He will be on supervised probation and he must make restitution of $486 to the victim. Prater must also contribute $75 to the economic crime fund.
Sheriff Ray said Prater was arrested on Tuesday, June 29th after detectives received a report that three purses were stolen from an unattended vehicle parked at Holiday Haven Boat Ramp on Wednesday, June 23rd. Detectives later identified Prater as a suspect and questioned him. During the questioning, Prater allegedly admitted to committing the crime.
21 year old James A. Marsh, charged with misdemeanor theft and introduction of contraband into a penal institution, was granted judicial diversion for a period of three years. He must meet all conditions of his probation and make an effort to complete his GED.
Sheriff Ray said that on Thursday, May 7th, 2009 deputies responded to a report of a break in at a business on Highway 146. Through an investigation, officers learned that Marsh had broken into the business and stolen a cash register and cigarettes. Marsh was arrested later in the day. On November 1st, 2009, Marsh allegedly tried to smuggle contraband into the jail.
25 year old Tracy Thomason pleaded guilty to auto burglary and received a two year sentence, all suspended to supervised probation except for 30 days to serve. She was given one week of jail credit. Thomason must also pay $75 to the economic crime fund
On Thursday, July 22nd, Smithville Police Captain Steven Leffew took a report from David Elliott who stated that he had parked his truck in Food Lion’s parking lot. When he returned to his truck he found a female inside. Elliot asked her what she was doing. The woman then got out of his truck, got into a blue car, and left. Elliott took down the plate number of the car. He also noticed that his Ipod and other items were missing. While conducting a follow up investigation, Detective Matt Holmes spoke with Ms. Thomason and she admitted to taking the items from Elliott’s truck and selling them.
22 year old Brittney D. Barnes pleaded guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest. She received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days on the drug charge, all suspended to supervised probation. She also received a sentence of five months and 29 days on the resisting charge, all suspended to supervised probation. The two sentences are to run concurrently with each other.
Sheriff Ray said that a deputy spotted Barnes in a vehicle at the intersection of Allen Ferry Road and Cookeville Highway on April 9th and had knowledge of an active warrant against her to serve a jail sentence for violation of probation. As the officer walked to the door of the vehicle he saw Barnes shoving something down her pants. Barnes said it was cigarettes. When the officer tried to remove her from the vehicle Barnes became combative. Before placing her in the back of the patrol car, the deputy conducted a search to make sure that there was nothing there. After arriving at the jail, the officer checked the back seat again after Barnes was removed and found cigarettes and a pill believed to be Xanax. Barnes also had two hypodermic needles in her purse.
46 year old Aubrey Kilgore entered a best interest plea to a first offense of driving under the influence. The offense occured on June 19th. Kilgore received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days, all suspended except for 48 hours to serve and then be on supervised probation. Kilgore must pay a fine of $365 and he will lose his license for one year. He must also complete the alcohol safety education program.
53 year old Billy R. Huddleston pleaded guilty to a first offense of driving under the influence. The offense occurred on March 4th. Huddleston received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days, all suspended except 48 hours to serve and then be on supervised probation. Huddleston must pay a fine of $365 and he will lose his license for one year. Huddleston must also complete the alcohol safety education program as well as an alcohol and drug assessment and follow any recommended treatment.
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