Liberty Couple Caught Having Sex in Cemetery

May 7, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

A Liberty couple who claimed to have gone to a cemetery to “make out” were caught having sex there last Friday.

33 year old Shawn Collin Fitzgerald of Adamson Branch Road and 31 year old Julie Marie Prater of Andrew Street are charged with indecent exposure. She was further charged with failure to appear in court on other charges of resisting arrest and simple possession and for a juvenile attachment. Bond for Fitzgerald is $2,000 and $5,000 for Prater. Both will make a court appearance on May 16.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Friday, May 3 a deputy was dispatched to McMinnville Highway due to a reckless driver who had pulled into one of the cemeteries. Upon arrival the officer learned that Fitzgerald and Prater had been engaging in sexual contact.

A Liberty woman has been charged with aggravated assault and vandalism after damaging another woman’s vehicle with a rock and a baseball bat as the victim sat inside the automobile.

29 year old Whitney Leann Patton of Tubbs Street, Liberty is under a $15,000 bond and she will make a court appearance on May 16.

Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, May 4 Patton used a baseball bat to strike the windshield and driver’s side window of another woman’s automobile while the victim was seated behind the steering wheel causing her to fear bodily harm. As the victim drove away to contact 911, Patton hit the car with a rock. Because of the vandalism, the victim’s car had cracks in both panels of glass and a dent in the top of the driver’s side door frame.

33 year old Megan Marie McCarthy of Murfreesboro is charged with public intoxication and resist stop, frisk, halt, arrest, or search. She is under a $3,500 bond and her court date is May 16.

Sheriff Ray said that on Friday, May 3 a deputy was dispatched to a residence on Lee Braswell Road due to an unwanted guest. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with McCarthy who had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from her person and she was very unsteady on her feet. While being placed under arrest, McCarthy began to yell saying “I am not going to jail”. She tried to pull away from the officer and refused to walk. McCarthy was subsequently placed in custody for her own safety and that of the public.

May 7, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Members of the Smithville Police Department who put their training and experience to the test in saving the lives of two people recently were recognized and awarded Monday night.

Police Chief Mark Collins paid tribute to officers Brandon Donnell, Will Judkins, Tyler Patterson, Andy Snow, and Sergeant Lance Dillard during the monthly meeting of the Mayor and Aldermen.

Officers Donnell and Judkins were credited for helping save the life of a woman who had overdosed on opioids in November while officers Patterson, Snow, and Sergeant Dillard pulled a burn victim to safety during a fire at his home in January.

Commendation certificates and badge medals were presented to Officers Donnell and Judkins for their heroic actions and plaques and badge medals were awarded to Officers Patterson, Snow, and Sergeant Dillard for their bravery in the face of danger.

Officers Donnell and Judkins sprung into action on November 25 after receiving a call of an unresponsive woman at a local residence.

“When the officers arrived she was found in a back bedroom laying face down. They checked for a pulse but none was present. Officers then placed her on the floor and started chest compressions with her husband watching. Shortly after starting chest compressions the woman gasped for breath and regained a pulse but she was still unresponsive to vocal commands. Officers then administered Narcan. After a few seconds the woman lost pulse again. Officers continued chest compressions until EMS and paramedics arrived. The woman was then transported to the hospital. It was believed that the victim had overdosed on an opioid drug. This quick action and training of these officers saved a life on this day,” said Chief Collins.

A little more than two months later, officers Patterson, Snow, and Sergeant Dillard put their lives at risk to save another.

“ On January 31, 2019 officers were dispatched to a call of a burning home. Upon arrival they found a residence on fire with flames and smoke coming out of the doors and windows. Neighbors told the officers that the occupant of this home was still inside. Officers made entry into the smoke filled home and were able to find the man lying on the floor. They were able to drag the man from the burning home to safety where later he was transported to Nashville with 3rd degree burns to his upper body and burns to his lungs. Doctors later said that if this man had stayed in the fire 30 seconds to a minute longer he could not have survived. These actions on this day due to their brave and unselfish act saved a life,” said Chief Collins.

May 6, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Daniel Stanley has been found and is back with his family.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said Stanley, age 40 who has Huntington’s disease, was spotted at the intersection of Old Blue Springs Road and Turner Road this morning (Tuesday) walking toward Highway 56. He was found by deputies minutes later at Mystik Market on McMinnville Highway in the Shiney Rock area.

Stanley had been missing since around 10:20 a.m. Monday morning after he walked away from his home at 895 Blue Springs Road.

“The call came in at 8:13 am this morning (Tuesday) from a witness saying a man fitting the description of Stanley was walking on Old Blue Springs Road at Turner Road heading toward Highway 56. Officers were dispatched and found him at Mystik Market sitting in a chair. Stanley said he had been out in the woods,” said Sheriff Ray.

After the family notified the sheriff’s department of Stanley’s disappearance Monday a search began. A THP helicopter with a fleer heat seeking device was flown in overnight to conduct an aerial search but could not locate Stanley mainly because of the heavy foilage.

Members of the Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad were lined up to expand the search this morning had Stanley not been found.

Sheriff Ray wishes to thank all those involved in the search effort including the Tennessee Highway Patrol.