Ashleigh S. Chapman to Speak to Local FCE Club on Ending Human Trafficking in our Lifetime

March 13, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Members of the Family and Community Education Club (FCE) will learn about the serious issue of Human Trafficking during a meeting Tuesday, March 14.

The guest speaker will be an expert on the topic, Ashleigh S. Chapman, JD, a human rights lawyer who has been working for the past 20 years to protect the most vulnerable populations. Among her many efforts, Ashleigh is the founder of Justice U™ which is an online learning platform that delivers training from some of the top experts in the anti-trafficking movement… and delivers it in a way that everyone can better understand the specific things they can do to help end human trafficking. She works domestically and internationally.

Prior to founding the ALLIANCE FOR FREEDOM, RESTORATION, AND JUSTICE (AFRJ) Ashleigh served as the co-founder and Director of the Center for Global Justice at Regent University School of Law in Virginia; the Director of a non-profit serving thousands of at-risk youth in Tennessee; a Children’s Pastor; and a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in foster care. Ashleigh is a licensed attorney in the state of Virginia. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with her Juris Doctorate from Regent University School of Law, receiving the school’s Most Outstanding Graduate award, and Summa Cum Laude with her B.S. from Tennessee Technological University.

The meeting Tuesday will begin at 10 a.m. in the UT Extension Meeting Room of the County Complex. Everyone is invited to attend.

March 13, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Two people found with methamphetamine during a traffic stop last week have been charged in the case.

28-year-old Raymond Marcelle Marks of Antioch, Tennessee and 24-year-old Savannah Elizabeth Derrick of Crestlawn Drive, Smithville will be in General Sessions Court on March 30. Marks is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver, felony possession of a firearm and driving on a revoked license. His bond is $22,500. Derrick is charged with possession of methamphetamine (2 counts) with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver. Her bond is $40,000.

Sheriff Ray said that on March 9 a deputy spotted Marks driving on Nashville Highway with Derrick as his passenger. Knowing that Marks’ license was revoked, the deputy pulled him over and confirmed the offense through central dispatch. During a search of the vehicle a zippered bag was found in the floorboard between the driver and passenger seat which held 10.53 grams of a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine. The bag was within reach of both Marks and Derrick. Marks also had on him a Glock 26-9-millimeter handgun.

Derrick got out of the vehicle with Marks and retrieved a backpack personal carry bag from another automobile before trying to enter an apartment. She was then detained but refused to give consent for the officer to search her bag. After a search warrant was obtained, the deputy found inside the backpack, a green bag which held 1.088 ounces of a crystal-like substance thought to be methamphetamine and another bag of the same substance that weighed 1.37 grams.

In a separate case, 38-year-old Jason Duane Madewell of Ferrell Road, Smithville is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver and public intoxication. His bond is $11,500 and he will be in court March 23.

Sheriff Ray said that on March 7 a deputy was on patrol when he spotted a man who appeared to have been intoxicated. He stopped the man, Madewell, at Mapco Express in Smithville and found him to be unsteady on his feet. Madewell was sweating profusely, and he couldn’t focus during conversation with the officer. When the deputy asked if he would consent to a body search, Madewell admitted to having methamphetamine in his left front pocket and said that he had consumed some meth three hours earlier. The meth found on him had container weight of 16.1 grams.

43-year-old Toby Lynn Young of Short Mountain Highway, Smithville is charged with theft of property over $10,000. His bond is $30,000 and he will make a court appearance March 23.

Sheriff Ray said that on March 7 Young went to a residence on Midway Road and allegedly stole a 2002 Harley Davidson Softtail Motorcycle valued at $15,000 and a Troybilt riding lawnmower valued at $2,500.

24-year-old Steven Lemont Waller of Sparta Highway, Smithville is charged with aggravated assault (2 counts). His bond is $30,000 and he will be in court March 23.

Sheriff Ray said that on March 9 a deputy was summoned to Shady Drive due to a complaint of shots fired. Upon arrival the officer spoke with a man who reported that Waller fired a round from a rifle in his direction during an argument. The sheriff’s department was called back there the same day due to another complaint of shots fired. This time the officer spoke with a woman who said that Waller fired a round from a rifle in her direction during an argument.

March 13, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

The DCHS Tiger baseball season opener at home against White County scheduled for today (Monday) at 5:30 p.m. has been rescheduled for Wednesday, March 15 at 5:30 p.m. in Smithville.