Ward Charged with Violation of Sex Offender Registry

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department recently arrested a convicted sex offender.
58 year old Charles Henry Ward of Shady Drive, Smithville is charged with a violation of the sex offender registry. He made his first General Sessions Court appearance on Thursday November 6 and Judge Bratten Cook, II revoked Ward’s bond. He will be in court again on December 4.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Monday, October 27 Ward was found to be living in his vehicle in the parking lot of a church on Old Snow Hill Road, within one thousand feet of a child’s athletic recreation center in violation of the sex offender registry law. According to Sheriff Ray, Ward committed the offense of second degree sexual assault in Texas on December 1, 1994 which resulted in him having to be included on the sex offender registry. Ward registered in DeKalb County on March 28, 2014.
37 year old James Allen Hesson of Big Hurricane Road, Smithville is charged with a second offense of driving on a revoked license. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court December 11. Sheriff Ray said that on Wednesday, November 5 a deputy was traveling on Highway 56 south when he saw Hesson operating a vehicle. Having prior knowledge that Hesson’s license were revoked, the officer conducted a traffic stop. A computer check confirmed that Hesson’s license were revoked for failure to satisfy a citation in 2010. Hesson also had a prior driving on revoked charge in 2013. He was placed under arrest.
40 year old Autumn Danielle White of Page Drive, Smithville is charged with driving while license suspended and evading arrest. Sheriff Ray said that on May 30 a deputy saw a white four door car, driven by White. The car was setting at the intersection of Smith Fork Road and the Alexandria to Dismal Road. Having prior knowledge that White’s license were suspended, the deputy tried to pull over the vehicle to speak with White but she drove away. The officer followed her for several miles but then terminated the pursuit at Hurricane Creek Road in Cannon County. A computer check confirmed that White’s license had been suspended for violation of the implied consent law. White also has outstanding warrants against her from Rutherford County. She was found and arrested Thursday, November 6 on these charges along with a Circuit Court violation of probation and three failure to appear offenses against her. White’s bond totals $22,500 but she is being held without bond for the violation of probation. She will be in court again on December 4.
20 year old David Melvin Speake of East Bryant Street, Smithville is charged with criminal impersonation. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court December 4. Sheriff Ray said that on Sunday, November 9 an officer confronted Speake with active warrants against him from another county. Speake identified himself as 18 year old David Serrano. The name was proven to be false.