Strayn Pleads Guilty to Arson

December 3, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

A woman believed to have been responsible for a fire in the Jefferson Community last fall appeared for sentencing in DeKalb County Criminal Court on Monday, November 27.

39-year-old Scarlett Suzette Lawrence Strayn entered a plea to arson and received a three-year sentence all suspended to supervised probation. The sentence is to run consecutively with a Warren County sentence against her. Strayn was given jail credit of 62 days. She will be making restitution in an amount to be determined.

The indictments alleged that on November 7, 2022 Strayn unlawfully and knowingly damaged a structure as well as personal property, land, or other property belonging to Jermaica League by means of a fire or explosion without the consent of all persons who had a possessory, proprietary, or security interest therein in violation of Tennessee Code Annotated (State Law).

Members of the DeKalb County Fire Department were dispatched at 2:32 a.m. on November 7, 2022 to a single wide mobile home on South Judkins Lane in the Jefferson Community where the residence and a bass boat were reportedly on fire.

“Upon arrival firefighters found the mobile home with heavy fire showing through the roof on one end of the residence in the bedroom area. The bass boat also had heavy fire in the engine and fuel tank areas. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire containing the blaze to the bedroom of the mobile home. The remainder of the residence received extensive heat and smoke damage. Two caged dogs perished inside the home. The boat was extensively damaged by the fire,” said DeKalb County Fire Chief Donny Green.
No one was injured and no other nearby properties were damaged. The incident was investigated by DeKalb Sheriff’s Department detectives and the TBI.

The Keltonburg, Belk, Blue Springs, Four Seasons, Short Mountain Highway, and Main Stations responded along with the tanker, DeKalb EMS, and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department.

26-year-old Tanisha Danielle Bandy entered a plea to two counts of simple possession of a schedule VI drug (marijuana) and received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days to run consecutively but suspended to supervised probation. She was fined a total of $500.

50-year-old Shirley Hardy entered a plea to possession of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) under 0.5 grams with intent to sell or deliver and received a three-year sentence all suspended to supervised probation on judicial diversion

50-year-old Anthony Brian Johnson entered a plea to sale of a schedule IV drug and received a two-year sentence all suspended to TDOC probation under judicial diversion.

45-year-old Charles McCurry entered a plea to possession of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) under 0.5 grams for sale or delivery and received a three-year sentence all suspended but to run consecutive to a White County case against him. He was fined $2,000 and given jail credit of 33 days.

41-year-old Lacy Lee West entered a plea to a first offense of driving under the influence and received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days all suspended except for 48 hours to serve. She will be on supervised probation and will lose her driver license for a year. West was fined $350, and she must complete an alcohol safety education program and attend the MADD Victim Impact Panel.

74-year-old Antonio Lujan entered a plea to simple possession of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) and received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days all suspended to supervised probation except for 30 days to serve. The term is to run concurrently with a White County case against him. He was given jail credit for one month.

December 2, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

After starting the season 0-4, the DeKalb County Tigers have bounced back winning their last two games including Friday night’s contest at Watertown. DC took down the Purple Tigers 59 to 43. The Lady Tigers also won their game over Watertown 44 to 37.

The Tigers trailed 12 to 6 after the 1st period but grabbed a 24 to 20 lead by halftime and held a 38 to 33 advantage heading into the 4th period. From there, the Tigers maintained control and claimed a 59 to 43 victory.

Conner Close led the Tigers in scoring with 20 followed by Jon Hendrix with 14, Jordan Parker 9, Dallas Kirby 7, Seth Fuson 5, and Alex Antoniak and Kaleb Spears each with 2.

The Lady Tigers opened up a 13 to 7 lead over Watertown by the end of the 1st period and led 29 to 18 at halftime. DeKalb County had a 35 to 27 advantage at the end of the 3rd period and went onto win 44 to 37.

Ella VanVranken led DC in scoring with 18. Tess Barton scored 14. Avery Agee 8, Chloe VanVranken with 3 and Allie Melton had 1 point.

The Tigers (2-4) and the Lady Tigers (3-3) will travel to Smith County Tuesday night, December 5 and host Warren County Friday, December 8 in Smithville. Each night the girls game will begin at 6 p.m. followed by the boys game and WJLE will have LIVE coverage.

November 30, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Four more people have been picked up by the Sheriff’s Department on sealed indictments returned by the DeKalb County Grand Jury Monday.

Two of the men, 78-year-old Thomas Joseph Baumann, Jr. of Braswell Lane and 77-year-old William Lloyd Wooldridge of West Main Street, Alexandria are indicted for sex crimes. The other two men, 24-year-old Damion Alexander Dishman of Baxter and 56-year-old Bradley John Baker of Murfreesboro are under indictment for drug offenses.

All four men will be arraigned in DeKalb County Criminal Court on December 13.

The indictments against these men are as follows:

Thomas Joseph Baumann, Jr- Rape. According to the indictment Baumann, between the dates of April 1 and August 1, 2023 allegedly intentionally and knowingly had sexual contact with a woman knowing that she was mentally defective and a vulnerable adult. Bond for Baumann is $150,000. This case was investigated by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department.

William Lloyd Wooldridge-Solicitation of a Minor, Sexual Battery, and Indecent Exposure. The indictments against him allege that on or about May 11 to June 1, 2023 Wooldridge knowingly and intentionally exposed himself to and had sexual contact with a 16-year-old minor. Wooldridge also allegedly by means of electronic communication intentionally requested, persuaded, invited, or attempted to induce the same 16-year-old to engage in inappropriate and illegal conduct on May 26, 2023. His bond is $100,000.

Damion Alexander Dishman- Sale and Delivery of a Schedule I drug (Psilocybin or magic mushrooms). His bond is $150,000. According to the indictment, on or about January 9, 2023, Dishman allegedly unlawfully and knowingly sold and delivered a schedule I controlled substance (Psilocybin) in an amount over 0.5 grams. This case was investigated by the Smithville Police Department.

Bradley John Baker- Sale and Delivery of a Schedule II drug (methamphetamine). His bond is $250,000. The indictment alleges that on or about January 20, 2023 Baker allegedly unlawfully and knowingly sold a schedule II-controlled substance (methamphetamine) in an amount over 0.5 grams. This case was investigated by the Smithville Police Department.