Woman Gets 8 Years Probation in Meth Case

July 25, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

A 30-year-old woman charged in a drug transaction case in February was sentenced in DeKalb County Criminal Court on Tuesday, July 23.

Amber Cheyenne Barrett-Caldwell entered a plea by criminal information to possession of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) over 0.5 grams and received an 8-year sentence on supervised probation. She was fined $2,000 and given jail credit of 161 days.

Caldwell was arrested on February 27 along with 45-year-old Jerry Henry Goff. He (Goff) was charged at the time with possession of the following controlled substances with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver: Adderall (schedule II), Buprenorphine (schedule III), Oxycodone (schedule II), Psilocybin Mushrooms (schedule I), Gabapentin (schedule V), Marijuana (schedule VI), Methamphetamine (schedule II), and Fentanyl (schedule II). Goff’s case remains pending in court.

Sheriff Patrick Ray issued the following statement in February on the investigation that led to the arrest of Goff and Caldwell.

“On February 27 while in an undercover capacity, detectives with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office were conducting surveillance on Jerry Goff due to receiving numerous reports of him trafficking illegal narcotics. While surveilling Goff at the parking lot of Wal-Mart, detectives observed an early 2000’s model truck pull up to the Dodge Nitro driven by Goff and a hand-to-hand transaction was made”.

“Detectives then stopped both vehicles to find Cheyenne Barrett-Caldwell to be the driver of the early 2000’s model Chevrolet truck. Goff, who is currently on state probation was searched along with his vehicle”.

“Detectives recovered 38 blue pills believed to be Oxycodone and a large sum of cash. The search of Cheyenne Barrett-Caldwell revealed 29.77 grams of a crystal-like substance believed to be Methamphetamine”.

“After leaving the scene at Wal-Mart, detectives along with deputies from the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office went to the residence of Goff to conduct a search of his home. After the search detectives recovered an additional large sum of cash along with 4 Adderall pills, 2 pink Oxycodone pills, 18 Buprenorphine pills, 3.43 grams of Psilocybin Mushrooms, over 100 Gabapentin pills, 92.24 grams of marijuana. and 55.4 grams of fentanyl. Detectives further recovered numerous items of drug paraphernalia including digital scales, syringes, spoons, straws, and other items. Detectives also seized the 2008 Dodge Nitro along with $5,636.00 in cash from Goff,” said Sheriff Ray.

Meanwhile, 38-year-old Matthew James Savage entered a plea by criminal information to reckless driving and received a six-month sentence all suspended to probation. He was given credit for time served and fined $350. The incident occurred on August 22, 2023.

52-year-old Ursula Ketchum entered a plea to disorderly conduct and received a 30-day sentence all suspended to good behavior probation.

Alexandria Police Chief Travis Bryant said that on September 26, 2023 Ketchum began disrupting officers during a traffic stop on Brush Creek Highway. Officers asked her to stop but she refused to comply. Her actions created a hazardous and offensive condition that served no legitimate purpose and created a nuisance.

July 24, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Mason Taylor and Wesley Kent, representing the DeKalb Fishing Team, will be competing in the Strike King Bassmaster High School National Championship Aug. 1-3 on Lake Chickamauga in Dayton, Tennessee accompanied by their Boat Captain Casey Taylor. Jeff Taylor is the head coach of the DeKalb Fishing Team program.

WJLE conducted a video interview with Casey and Mason Taylor and Wesley Kent Wednesday afternoon. View the program below.

The radio version of the interview will air on WJLE Thursday morning, July 25 at 8 a.m.

July 23, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

A new appointment has been made to the DeKalb Utility District Board of Commissioners.

During Monday night’s monthly meeting, the county commission approved the appointment of Richard Close to the DUD board representing DeKalb County. Close will succeed longtime DUD board member Hugh Washer who is stepping down when his term expires August 31.

Close is one of three members on the board who serves DeKalb County. Each term is for four years.

The DUD Board is made up of five members, three from DeKalb County (Jimmy Womack, Kerry Davis, and Richard Close), one from Cannon County (Roger Turney), and one from Smith County (Danny Bass). The terms are staggered.