Local News Articles

Smithville Police made several arrests over the New Year holiday weekend.

Chief Thomas J. Stufano says \"On December 30th Smithville Police arrested Walter Hartman of 303 Manhill Road, Dowelltown on the charges of DUI and Reckless Endangerment. This is the 5th DUI arrest for Hartman. Police observed Hartman driving his Ford Thunderbird at a high rate of speed on Cookeville Highway near Northside School crossing the centerline multiple times. When the vehicle was finally stopped and the officer approached, a 9 year old female, who was sitting in the passenger seat, crawled across the driver's seat frantically yelling \"Please help me\" to the officer. The officer immediately identified the smell of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the vehicle and asked the driver to get out of the vehicle. Upon further investigation it was discovered that the juvenile was the adopted daughter of the driver and was in fear due to Hartman's reckless driving. Hartman had to be held against the vehicle as he was too inebriated to stand. He was subsequently arrested and transported to the DeKalb County Jail. He was placed under $15,000 bond. Hartman's vehicle was confiscated under the state's Drug and Alcohol forfeiture act.

A second DUI arrest was made on New Year's Day when Francisco Soto Perez of 232 Orchard Lane of McMinnville was confronted by another driver who claimed that Perez almost ran into his vehicle. Smithville Police responded to a reported disturbance in the Exxon Gas Station parking lot. Officers discovered that Perez smelled of an alcoholic beverage, slurred his speech and admitted to drinking and driving. Perez was arrested and processed and remanded to the DeKalb County Jail under a bond of $1,500

On New Year's Eve Smithville Police Officers responded to 307 White Street regarding a domestic complaint. Upon arrival officer's discovered that 19 year old Daniel Lee Clien had been drinking heavily and kept a female companion from leaving the residence. Officers found that the female tried numerous times to exit from a rear bedroom window only to dragged back by Clien which left bruises on the female. Clien damaged numerous items in the residence including phones which were ripped out of the walls and glass which was broken from items being thrown about. Clien was arrested for domestic assault and underage drinking and was transported to the DeKalb County Jail under a $3,500 bond.

Smithville Police are committed to actively investigating and prosecuting drivers who are DUI. The Police Department asks that everyone help eliminate drinking and driving in our area.

70 year old man was injured in a one car crash Wednesday night on Keltonburg Road, State Highway 288, just three tenths of a mile east of Highway 56.

Sergeant Billy Prater of the Tennessee Highway Patrol says Lellon M. Cantrell was driving east on Keltonburg Road in a 1986 Pontiac four door car when he went off the right side of the road and clipped a utility pole. The wreck caused a power outage for many residents and businesses in the area for at least an hour or more.

Cantrell was taken by DeKalb EMS to DeKalb Community Hospital and he was later airlifted to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville.

Sergeant Prater was assisted at the scene by members of the DeKalb County Sheriff's Department, DeKalb EMS, and the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Team.

Smithville Police arrested a 25 year old man on drug charges Wednesday.

Chief Thomas J. Stufano says Joshua Goff of 816 Gentry Avenue is charged with sale and delivery of narcotics.

He says \"The case started after concerned citizens notified police that possible illegal drug activity could be occurring at 816 Gentry Avenue. There were reports that numerous cars and people on foot would frequent the residence at all hours of the day staying only for minutes after contacting someone there and then leaving. Smithville Police setup a surveillance of the property for four days validating the information after 40 cars were observed stopping in this fashion. After other investigative information was obtained officers entered the residence during an ongoing drug transaction and arrested Goff for the illegal sale of narcotics. Illegal schedule II narcotics and cash were recovered during the raid. Goff was arrested and transported to the DeKalb County Jail with a Bond of $10,000.\"

Chief Stufano says Smithville Police appreciate the continued support and vigilance the public is providing in helping law enforcement eradicate the selling of illegal narcotics in Smithville. The Police Department is committed to actively investigating all complaints of illegal drugs in our community.

The DeKalb County Sheriff's Department has charged a 23 year old man with forgery and theft for allegedly trying to pass a forged check at a local bank.

23 year old Jacob Garrett of Old Bildad Road, Smithville is under a $5,000 bond and he will appear in General Sessions Court on January 18th.

Sheriff Ray says Garrett went to the home of a relative, took a check, then went to a local bank where he forged the name of the relative on the check and tried to cash it.

According to Sheriff Ray, Garrett has confessed to the crime.