A 45 year old man, charged with breaking into a home, an outbuilding, two vehicles, and a church on Veterans Day last year, appeared in DeKalb County Criminal Court Monday, November 25
William Andrew “Andy” Cantrell pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated burglary and received a six year sentence to serve at 35% before his release eligibility date. He was given jail credit from November 11, 2012 to November 25, 2013.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Sunday, November 11, 2012 Cantrell allegedly broke into a residence on Big Woods Road by prying open a back door. He also broke a window. Cantrell allegedly stole from the home a 22 caliber H & R target pistol, valued at $400. Cantrell also allegedly broke into an outbuilding at the residence. Entry was made through a window. Once inside he took a four wheeler and burst through the doors of the outbuilding.
On the same day, Cantrell allegedly broke into two vehicles at another residence on Big Woods Road. Both vehicles were unlocked so entry was made by simply opening the doors. Cantrell allegedly tried to steal one of the vehicles. He damaged the steering wheel column around the ignition keyhole as well as the glove box. The total amount of the vandalism to that vehicle was estimated at $1,000. Cantrell allegedly tried to steal the radio in the other vehicle and caused damage to the dashboard around the radio.
Cantrell also allegedly broke into the Old Fashion Free Will Baptist Church on Blue Springs Road. Entry was made through a back door. He allegedly stole a laptop computer, two wireless keyboards, a projector, and a black bag with a total estimated value of $2,200.
After being arrested and taken to jail on Monday November 12, 2012 Cantrell was searched by correctional officers and they found on him a small red plastic container with a powdery substance believed to be methamphetamine.
Meanwhile in another case, 31 year old Rhonda Murphy pleaded guilty Monday to one count of aggravated burglary and received a three year sentence all suspended to probation. She was given seven days of jail credit.
Murphy and 27 year old Eric Wayne Tramel were co-indicted last year on charges of aggravated burglary, theft over $1,000, and fraudulent use of a credit card.
Murphy’s boyfriend, 23 year old Jason Kyle Shepard of Dowelltown was charged on a state warrant for fraudulent use of a credit card.
Sheriff Ray said that Murphy, Tramel, and Shepard were accused of using a credit card, taken from the home of a person on the Old Blue Springs Road that Murphy had been caring for. According to Sheriff Ray, while at the residence of the person she was caring for on September 28, 2012 Murphy left a window unlocked to allow Tramel to enter and steal some items from the residence. Tramel allegedly stole two laptop computers, valued at $2,000 along with assorted jewelry, valued at $3,000. Sheriff Ray said the three defendants participated in using the stolen credit card over a three month period to purchase an assortment of items.
Tramel pleaded guilty in this case and another in August and was sentenced on two counts of aggravated burglary. He received a six year sentence in each case to run concurrently with each other. He must serve at least 35% of the sentence before his release eligibility date. Tramel must make restitution in one case of $234 and in an amount to be determined in the other case. He was given jail credit from November 11, 2012 to July 22, 2013.
Shepard’s case apparently remains pending in court.
21 year old Dakota Stith pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated burglary and received a four year sentence in each case to run concurrently with each other. He will be on state probation. Stith was given 90 days jail credit. Restitution to be determined.

Seven people were sentenced in DeKalb County Criminal Court Monday after entering pleas to drug or alcohol charges against them.
Judge David Patterson presided.
23 year old Brittany Mingle pleaded guilty to two counts of sale of a controlled substance and received a four year sentence in each case as a range one offender to serve at least thirty percent. The sentences are to run concurrently with each other but have been suspended to probation, except for thirty days to serve. Mingle must pay a $2,000 drug fine, make $40 restitution to the sheriff’s department, and undergo an alcohol and drug assessment. She was given twenty days of jail credit. Mingle has applied for judicial diversion.
45 year old Brett Anderson pleaded guilty to sale of a schedule II controlled substance and received a five year sentence, suspended to supervised probation after he serves six months. He was fined $2,000. The term is to run concurrently with a violation of probation against him.
22 year old Josh Anderson pleaded guilty to sale and delivery of a schedule III controlled substance. He received a two year sentence in each case to run consecutively for a total of four years. He was given credit for time served and he will be on probation for the remainder of the term. He has been granted judicial diversion. Anderson was fined $2,000 and he must pay eighty dollars restitution. The sentence will run concurrently with his probation in a General Sessions court case against him.
24 year old Calen Paschal pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment and possession of a schedule VI controlled substance for resale. He received a two year sentence to serve in each case to run concurrently with each other. Paschal was given jail credit from June 3, 2013 through November 25, 2013.
35 year old Andrew Wilbert pleaded guilty to attempt to deliver a schedule II drug. He received a two year sentence, suspended to supervised probation. He was fined $2,000. Wilbert has been given credit for time served. The sentence is to run concurrently with a violation of probation case against him.
25 year old Cory Ryan Hendrixson pleaded guilty to sale of a counterfeit controlled substance. He received a two year sentence, all suspended to supervised probation with credit for 33 days of time served. He must pay a $2,000 drug fine, make restitution to the Smithville Police Department, and undergo an alcohol and drug assessment. Hendrixson was granted judicial diversion.
34 year old Brian E. Clark pleaded guilty to a first offense of driving under the influence. He received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days suspended to supervised probation except for 28 days to serve. He was fined $360 and he will lose his driving privileges for a period of time. Clark must attend outpatient drug classes/treatment for seventeen days.

Members of the DeKalb County Grand Jury conducted a tour of the Jail Monday and filed a complimentary report as to its operation.
The reports states that “The DeKalb County Grand Jury met on Monday, November 25 to review cases presented. After the jurors were sworn in they were invited to tour the DeKalb County Jail. The group was greeted by Sheriff Patrick Ray to conduct the tour”.
“The jurors were particularly impressed by the cleanliness, orderliness, and efficiency of the facility. The DeKalb County Jail is an accredited facility and adheres to regulations that meet the standards including nutritious meals and a limitation of inmates at any one time. Select privileges are allowed for good behavior. Groups or individuals are welcome to take tours of the DeKalb Jail upon request. The jurors commend Sheriff Patrick Ray and his staff for their most professional demeanor”.
“All county employees met bonding requirements necessary for certification by the law,” the report concluded.

DeKalb County’s Unemployment rate for October was 8.1%, up from 7.8% in September and 7.2% in October 2012.
The local labor force for October was 9,510. A total of 8,750 were employed and 770 were unemployed.
County unemployment rates for October show the rate increased in 64 counties, decreased in 18, and remained the same in 13 counties.
DeKalb County’s jobless rate for October was fourth lowest in the Upper Cumberland Region. Here’s how the fourteen counties ranked from highest to lowest:
Pickett County: 12.2%
White County: 11%
Van Buren County: 10.9%
Clay County: 10.9%
Jackson County: 9.8%
Warren County: 9.1%
Fentress County:9%
Cumberland County: 9%
Macon County: 8.7%
Overton County: 8.2%
DeKalb County: 8.1%
Putnam County: 7.7%
Cannon County: 6.9%
Smith County: 6.7%
Davidson County had the state’s lowest major metropolitan rate of 6.7 percent, unchanged from September. Knox County’s October rate was also 6.7 percent, up from 6.6 percent the previous month. Hamilton County was unchanged at 8.0 percent. Shelby County was 10.1 percent, up from 9.9 percent in September.
Tennessee’s unemployment rate for both September and October is 8.4 percent, which is one tenth of one percentage point lower than the August revised rate. The national unemployment rate for October 2013 was 7.3 percent, up one tenth of one percentage point from September.

A 24 year old man has been indicted on the charge of statutory rape for allegedly engaging in sexual activity with a fifteen year old girl.
Bryan Cunningham is among more than fifty persons who were indicted by the new term of the DeKalb County Grand Jury which convened on Monday, November 25. Seven persons were named in sealed indictments
All the defendants will be arraigned on Monday, December 9.
The incident involving Cunningham occurred on Friday, July 5.
Smithville Police said that Lieutenant Matt Holmes and Sergeant Brad Tatrow caught Cunningham and a young girl engaging in sexual activity in the woods by the creek on Holmes Creek Road. The officers were patroling the area because it’s a known hangout.
The names of defendants indicted and their charges are as follows:
April Lynn Anderson- Theft over $1,000
Anthony Adcock and Tammi Adams- Initiation of a process to manufacture meth; Manufacture of marijuana; and Possession of a weapon by a felon (2 counts)
Matthew Baker- Promotion of meth manufacture, Possession of a Schedule II & III drug, Possession of drug paraphernalia, and resisting arrest
Christopher Barnes-Burglary and Theft over $1,000
Bryan Keith Boring- Driving under the influence
Jason Cline-Driving under the influence (2nd offense)
Jimmy Corder- Aggravated assault and Vandalism under $500
Bryan Cunningham- Statutory Rape
Hector Alejandro Caballero- Driving under the influence and Violation of the Implied Consent law
Anthony Lynn Colwell- Initiation of a process to manufacture meth
Billy Joe Rigsby and William Cory Dickens- Theft over $60,000 and Theft over $10,000
Brandon Hutchings, Sherry Malone, and Patricia Durham- Initiation of a process to manufacture meth and Promotion of meth manufacture
Billy Joe Davis, II- Driving under the influence
David Wayne Dowell- Aggravated Burglary, Theft under $500, and Vandalism under $500
Lonnie Ray Dyer- Aggravated Burglary and Theft under $500
Crystal Dianne Fults- Introduction of Contraband into a Penal Institution, DUI, and Possession of a Schedule II drug
Don Groshon- Prescription Fraud
Steven Levan Gandy- Driving on a revoked license and Initiation of a process to manufacture meth
Victor Gingerich- Driving on a Revoked License (3rd offense)
Rhonda Goff- Forgery (5 counts)
Josh Wayne Goff- Assault and Driving on a suspended license
Thomas Bruce Greene- DUI (2nd offense) and Driving on a suspended license
Andrew Tyler Hall-DUI (2nd offense)
Jessie Comer Harris- Initiation of a process to manufacture meth, Aggravated assault, Tampering with evidence, Evading with a motor vehicle, DUI, Reckless endangerment, and Resisting arrest
Brandon Hutchings and Jessica Jenkins- Auto burglary, Theft under $500, Promotion of meth manufacture, Possession of a schedule II drug, and Possession of paraphernalia
Joseph Ray Huff- Theft over $1,000 and Evading arrest
Jason Johnson- Possession of a handgun while intoxicated, DUI, and Violation of the Implied Consent law
Rhonda Michelle King- Initiation of a process to manufacture meth
Megan Ann Lann- Theft under $500
Molly Lawrence- Theft over $1,000 (2 counts)
Sharon Malone- Possession of a schedule III drug
Jonathan K. McCormick- Burglary and Theft over $1,000
Travis Melton- Introduction of contraband into a penal institution
Stephen Jason Moore- Possession of paraphernalia
Hector Orozco-Larragaita- DUI and Driving without a driver’s license
Karie Lynn Padgett- Theft under $500
Ralph Edward Pease, Jr.- Possession of a schedule II drug, Possession of paraphernalia, and Driving on a suspended license
Bradley Pugh- Initiation of a process to manufacture meth
Danny Austin Reeder- Possession of a schedule IV drug
Dennis Reeder- Possession of a schedule VI & III drug, DUI (2nd offense), and Violation of the Implied Consent law
Carl Schwartz- DUI (2nd offense) and Driving on a revoked license
Casimiro Silva- DUI and Leaving the scene of an accident
Walter Smouthers- Stalking (3 counts)
Erik Suarez- DUI (2nd offense), Driving on a suspended license, and Violation of the implied consent law
Megan Ann Tramel- Forgery (6 counts)
Abigail Vogel- Introduction of contraband into a penal institution and Public intoxication
Ryan Walden- Theft over $1,000, Evading arrest (2 counts), Resisting arrest, and Aggravated burglary
Autumn White- Possession of a schedule II drug for resale, Possession of a schedule III drug, Possession of a schedule IV (2 counts), Evading arrest, and Resisting arrest.
Jeremy Edward Woodard- Driving a revoked license
Jarrod Cain West- Driving on a suspended license

Another long time judge in the 13th Judicial District has decided to call it quits after completing his current term of office.
After serving for what will be 30 years next year, Circuit Court Judge John J. Maddux, Jr. has announced that he will not seek re-election and will be leaving the bench when his term expires on August 31, 2014.
Judge Maddux was first elected Circuit Court Judge in 1984, and was re-elected unopposed in 1990, 1998 and 2006.
He serves DeKalb and six other counties in the 13th Judicial District.
Criminal Court Judge Leon Burns, Jr. is also expected to retire at the end of his term next year, although he has apparently made no official announcement.
Judge Maddux has served as past president of the Tennessee Judicial Conference and the Tennessee Trial Judges Association. He has been a member of the Tennessee Pattern Jury Instruction-Civil Committee for 28 years. He was a member of the two person sub-committee which drafted the initial comparative fault jury instructions which were later modified and adopted by the full committee.
He was chairman of the Tennessee Pattern Jury Instruction Clarity Sub-¬Committee, which rewrote the entire pattern jury instruction book so that civil jury instructions would be more easily understood by jurors, attorneys and judges.
He has sat by special designation on the Tennessee Court of Appeals, the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals and the Supreme Court Special Workers’ Compensation Panel. Judge Maddux was offered, but respectfully declined, a nomination for a Federal District Court judgeship.
Judge Maddux currently serves as chairman of the Judicial Conference’s Long Range Planning Committee and has served as a member of the Legislative Committee and the Judicial Education Committee.
He was Tennessee’s delegate to the National Conference of the Judiciary on Bioethical Issues.
In 2010, Judge Maddux was elected chairman of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Judicial Conference Foundation, Inc., a position he now holds.
The past presidents of the Judicial Conference along with three at large board members comprise the directors of the Foundation. The Foundation’s mission is to offer need based scholarships for students at each of the colleges of law in Tennessee.
In 2011, Judge Maddux was awarded the Justice Frank F. Drowota III Outstanding Judicial Service Award.
Last year, he was chosen to be a fellow of the American Bar Association which is an honor limited to less than one percent of the lawyers in America.
Judge Maddux has presided in approximately 600 judicial settlement conferences.
These settlement conferences are a form of mediation and have been successful almost 85 percent of the time.
For 35 years, he has served as State Chairman of Tennessee American Legion Boys State. During that time approximately 20,000 17-year-old delegates have attended Tennessee American Legion Boys State at Tennessee Tech University.
He is the author of a book titled “Tennessee Government,” a copy of which is given to each Boys State delegate to study and be tested on during the week of Boys State.
Tennessee’s American Legion Boys State is currently ranked as the number one Boys State program in the nation.
Judge Maddux has made presentations on comparative fault law to the Tennessee Judicial Conference, the Tennessee House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, and several Tennessee attorney organizations.
He is one of the instructors who teaches the section on jury trials at the Tennessee Judicial Conference’s Judicial Academy for new judges. Judge Maddux has taught the course on business law at Tennessee Tech University.
Judge Maddux attended undergraduate school at Tennessee Tech University and the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He received his J.D. degree from the University of Tennessee.
He practiced both civil and criminal law in state and federal courts in Tennessee.