Undercover Drug Investigation by Smithville Police Department Results in Grand Jury Sealed Indictments

An undercover drug investigation by the Smithville Police Department has resulted in grand jury sealed indictments against five people.
Smithville Police Chief Randy Caplinger said 41 year old Randy Caldwell, 24 year old Ben Pascal, 45 year old Teresa Beasley, and 41 year old Timothy Lawson have all been served with the indictments and will appear in criminal court for arraignment on Monday, December 12. One other person has yet to be served.
The investigations were conducted by Detectives Matt Holmes and Brandon Donnell with an informant making the drug buys. A TBI agent worked with the detectives in one case.
Caldwell is charged with two counts of sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance.
The indictments allege that on August 18 and 19, Caldwell sold and delivered Hydromorphone, a schedule II controlled substance.
Pascal is charged with sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance. He is indicted with a co-defendant for allegedly selling and delivering dilaudid, a schedule II controlled substance on August 25.
Beasley is charged with sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance. Her indictment alleges that she sold and delivered Hydromorphone, a schedule II drug on August 26. The alleged drug buy took place at City Walk Apartments.
Lawson is charged with three counts of sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance in a drug free school zone.
The indictments allege that Lawson sold and delivered morphine on July 27, August 4, and August 23. The alleged drug buys took place at the City Walk Apartments, located near Smithville Elementary School.
Meanwhile 23 year old Brandon Matthew Byford, not part of the drug investigation, has been arrested by Smithville Police for harboring a fugitive, resisting arrest, and possession of a prohibited weapon for allegedly trying to hide Lawson in his City Walk apartment.
Detectives Donnell and Holmes went to City Walk Apartment Monday, November 28 to serve the indictments on Lawson but no one came to the door, even though they saw who they thought was Lawson inside. After forcibly entering, the detectives found Lawson who was hiding in the apartment. They also arrested Byford. Police said Byford tried to resist and he had brass knuckles in his possession. Byford is under a $7,500 bond and he will be in court on December 15.
18 year old Keith Clifford Lafreniere, II was indicted Monday on a rape charge. The case was investigated by Detective Matt Holmes of the Smithville Police Department.
The indictment alleges that on May 26 Lafreniere did intentionally or knowingly engage in unlawful sexual activity with a 12 year old girl and that it was accomplished by the use of force or coercion constituting the offense of rape.
The incident allegedly occurred at a residence on West Main Street. DNA evidence was collected at the scene. Lafreniere, who was identified as a suspect, was later charged in the case. He will appear for arraignment in criminal court on Monday, December 12.
Meanwhile in other cases, 34 year old Amy Jeanette Lawson is charged with theft over $500, criminal trespassing, and a second offense of driving on a suspended license. Her bond is $17,500 and she will be in court on December 15.
A Smithville Police Officer was recently called to Food Lion. The store manager said that a customer claimed that another woman, later identified as Lawson, had come up to her in the store and began talking. Before leaving, Lawson allegedly swiped the woman’s wallet, which contained up to eight hundred dollars. Lawson then left the store, got in her car, and drove away. The victim followed after Lawson and caught up with her on Dearman Street. Lawson allegedly gave back the wallet but there was no money in it. Lawson then drove to Jewel’s Market, where police confronted her. While there, the officer was notified that Wal-mart called to report that Lawson had been in the store earlier that day trying to return a cell phone, when she was not supposed to be there. Lawson had previously been barred from the store. Walmart filed a criminal trespassing charge against her. Lawson was arrested and brought to the police department but while she was being held, Lawson slipped out of her handcuffs and darted out the door. Police apprehended her at North Webb and Congress Boulevard.
57 year old Terry Wayne Owens is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $3,500.
Chief Caplinger reports that police went to Owen’s residence on Smith Road after someone there phoned 911 and hung up. Upon arrival, police learned from a woman there that she and Owens became involved in an argument which turned physical with him allegedly assaulting her. He was taken into custody.
27 year old Daniel Ray Wilson was cited for shoplifting on Thanksgiving Day. Wilson allegedly put several items in his pockets, totaling over $87 from Walmart trying to conceal them. He will be in court on December 11.
34 year old Eric Heflin was stopped for a traffic (light law) violation on Wednesday, November 23. He was also cited for violation of the open container law. He will be in court on January 3.