Couple Charged in Theft and Forgery Case

A husband and wife were arrested recently after allegedly passing forged checks and using a stolen credit/debit card at local businesses.
46 year old Ricky Lane Evans and 37 year old Sherry May Evans of Gene Vaughn Road, Smithville are each charged in the case.
Ricky Evans is facing two counts of forgery and one count of theft of property under $500. His bond is $7,500. Sherry Evans is charged with theft under $500 (2 counts), forgery, and fraudulent use of a credit or debit card (3 counts). Her bond is $17,500. Both will be in court on November 17.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Monday, October 24 the Evans’ allegedly stole checks while Sherry also took a credit/debit card. The same day Ricky allegedly passed one of the checks with a forged signature at Wilson Bank & Trust in Smithville for $60. On Tuesday, October 25, Sherry Evans allegedly used the stolen credit/debit card in amounts of $25.09 and $67.17 at the Dollar General Store and on Thursday, October 27 at Redbox in the amount of $9.88. The next day, Wednesday, October 26 Ricky and Sherry together passed another forged check for $148.51 at Wal-mart in Smithville.
35 year old Miranda Michelle Murphy and her husband, 40 year old Samuel Malachi Murphy of Payton Lane, Smithville are each charged with aggravated burglary and theft of property over $1,000. Bond for each is $10,000 and they will make a court appearance on November 17. They were arrested on Thursday, November 3. Sheriff Ray said that on September 16, the Murphy’s allegedly broke into a residence on Cookeville Highway. Entry was made by force through the front door. After breaking in, the Murphy’s allegedly stole $1,500 worth of property.
Miranda Murphy is also facing a charge of possession of methamphetamine for resale in a separate case. Murphy’s bond on that charge is $5,000 and her court date is November 17. Sheriff Ray said that on Tuesday, November 1 a deputy responded to an unwanted guest call at a residence on Cookeville Highway. By the time the officer arrived, the unwanted guest (Murphy) had left the residence but she was stopped in her vehicle on Cookeville Highway. According to the caller, Murphy had a loaded weapon on her. A search of Murphy’s vehicle turned up 0.6 grams of a crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine. She was placed under arrest for the drug offense.
31 year old Donald Richard Atnip, Jr. of Banks Pisgah Road, Smithville is charged with possession with intent to resale a schedule VI drug (marijuana). His bond is $7,500 and his court date is November 10. Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, October 31 a detective spotted Atnip in his truck at the parking lot of Pizza Hut. Knowing that Atnip had two warrants against him, the officer stopped and spoke with Atnip. While placing Atnip under arrest, the detective conducted a search of Atnip’s truck and found sandwich bags, scales, four small individual bags of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, and a Mason jar containing 1.06 ounces of a green leafy substance also believed to be marijuana.
40 year old Shane Michael Downey of Jacobs Pillar Road, Smithville is charged with evading arrest. His bond is $1,500 and his court date is November 17. Sheriff Ray said that on Wednesday, November 2 a deputy was dispatched to a residence on Jacobs Pillar Road to pick up Downey, who has active warrants against him. Upon arrival, the officer spotted Downey standing behind the house. When he saw the officer, Downey took off running into the woods and continued running though the deputy ordered him to stop. Downey was subsequently found hiding in the woods and placed under arrest.
23 year old Jacob James Damon of McMinnville is charged with assault. His bond is $2,500. Sheriff Ray said that on Thursday, November 3 Damon, a prisoner at the jail, allegedly assaulted another inmate by repeatedly hitting him with his fist causing a cut near the victim’s left eye. Damon also grabbed the victim and kept him from reaching the cell door.
40 year old Tyrone Lamont Jackson of the Loop, Smithville is charged with driving while suspended or revoked. He was also cited for driving on roadways laned for travel. His bond is $3,000 and his court date is December 1. Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, November 7 a deputy stopped Jackson’s vehicle for failure to maintain lane of travel. Jackson’s automobile allegedly crossed the center line several times. During the traffic stop, the officer discovered that Jackson’s license were suspended on April 19, 2012.
66 year old William Lee Bell, Jr. of Circle Drive, Dowelltown is charged with driving under the influence. His bond is $1,500 and his court date is November 17. Sheriff Ray said that on Thursday, November 3 a deputy was dispatched to the area of Toad Road where a blue Chevrolet Blazer was observed driving recklessly and running vehicles off the road. The officer spotted the vehicle as it turned off of Nashville Highway onto Toad Road. The Blazer came to a stop in the roadway after it turned onto Toad Road. The officer found that Bell was the driver. His speech was slurred and he was very unsteady on his feet. The deputy found two empty beer bottles in the rear floor board of Bell’s vehicle. Bell admitted to having been drinking. He refused to submit to field sobriety tasks.