McCowan Charged with Theft and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Smithville Police have charged a 25 year old man with theft and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Chief Randy Caplinger said Joshua Lynn McCowan of Morgan Drive was arrested by Officer David Phillips on Sunday, December 19th. Earlier that day, Sergeant Randy King took a theft report. The victim stated that he had given McCowan a ride to his residence and as McCowan exited the vehicle he took with him a .22 caliber bolt action rifle, belonging to the victim. The man tried to stop McCowan from taking the gun but was unsuccessful. Officers then went to McCowan's residence to interview him. He was asked to step outside with Officer Phillips as Sergeant King spoke with the other occupants. Upon stepping out on the stoop of the residence, Officer Phillips saw McCowan drop a syringe from his hand onto the concrete stoop. Police also recovered the gun. Bond for McCowan was $2,500 and his court date is February 27th.

In another case, 42 year old Kimberly Dawn Foster of McMinnville was issued a citation on Monday, December 20th for simple possession of a schedule III and IV controlled substance. Corporal Travis Bryant received a call of a suspicious vehicle at Mapco Express Upon investigation, Corporal Bryant made contact with Foster. Corporal Bryant confirmed that she was on parole. Foster consented to a search of her property. Found in her purse were schedule III and IV drugs. Her court date is January 6th.

Meanwhile while assisting Corporal Bryant at Mapco, Officer Scott Davis was given permission by the passenger of Foster's vehicle, 31 year old Terra Nadean Rippe of McMinnville to search her property. Found in Ms. Rippe's purse was a schedule III drug. Ms. Rippe was also cited into court on January 6th..

40 year old Terry Lee King Sr. of Bybee Woods Drive was arrested on Monday, December 20th for criminal impersonation. While investigating a suspicious vehicle Corporal Travis Bryant made contact with a man who identified himself as Lee Knowles. He also gave a date of birth. Upon further investigation Corporal Bryant learned that he was actually Terry King and that he attempted to conceal his identity due to an arrest warrant out of Warren County for failure to appear. Bond for King is $1,500 and his court date is January 6th.

Meanwhile anyone having information on any criminal activity is asked to please contact the Smithville Police Department at 597-8210 or the Tip Line at 464-6046.

Any information received that will help the Smithville Police solve any criminal offense will be greatly appreciated. All information is confidential.

Sheriff's Department Makes Arrest in Recent Burglary and Theft

The DeKalb County Sheriff's Department has made an arrest in a recent burglary.

27 year old Matthew Malachi Lawson of Haley Road, Smithville is charged with sale of a schedule II controlled substance (dilaudid), aggravated burglary, and theft of property over $10,000. He is under a $70,000 bond and his court date is January 6th.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on December 8th, Lawson allegedly kicked open the back door of a residence on Antioch Road and took several items from the home including two jewelry boxes containing a gold waterfall ring, four leaf clover diamond pin, gold necklace with red, white, and blue charm and several other pieces of jewelry. All items were valued at over $10,000.

Meanwhile on July 7th, Lawson allegedly sold a schedule II drug (dilaudid) to a confidential source during an undercover drug operation by the DeKalb County Sheriff's Department.

In another case, 37 year old Christie Michelle Willoughby of South Chancery Street, McMinnville was issued a citation for failure to drive within her lane, simple possession of a schedule IV controlled substance (xanax), violation of the financial responsibility law (no insurance) and driving on a suspended license. Her court date is January 6th.

According to Sheriff Ray, Willoughby was stopped for failure to maintain her lane of travel on Highway 146 on Monday, December 20th. As the deputy walked up to the vehicle, Willoughby allegedly tried to swallow a pill and on the floorboard in plain sight, was a xanax (a schedule IV controlled substance). The officer searched Willoughby's purse and found another xanax. A computer check revealed that her drivers license were suspended and she did not have insurance.

46 year old Claude Trimble also known as Hoss Roller is charged with leaving the scene of an accident with property damage. He was also issued a citation for failure to give immediate notice of an accident. He will be in court on January 20th.

Trimble is further charged with failure to appear in general sessions court in a separate case on September 20th. He will appear in court on this charge January 6th.

His bond totals $6,500.

Trimble also faces charges from the Smithville Police Department.

Sheriff Ray said that on Christmas Day, Trimble was involved in a traffic accident on Highway 56 south and left the scene. He was later stopped by Smithville Police. In the accident, Trimble's vehicle struck a fence, tearing down the top strand of barbed wire. When stopped by police, Trimble admitted to hitting the fence and not stopping after the accident