Motorist found with bomb and other weapons along with drugs and large amount of cash

January 5, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

A motorist pulled over Tuesday night, January 4 by a sheriff’s department deputy for a light law violation was found with homemade explosives (bomb), a large amount of cash, methamphetamine, marijuana, shotgun, and a revolver.

40-year-old Shane Gray of Gene Roads Sparta is charged with carrying prohibited weapons (explosives); possession of Methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, deliver or sell; armed dangerous felony; and sale and delivery of a schedule VI drug (Marijuana). He was also issued a citation for a light and registration law violation, and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond totals $350,000.

In a prepared statement, Sheriff Patrick Ray said that “On January 4, while patrolling on Sparta Highway (Highway 70 east) a deputy observed a car traveling with a head light out. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, who was found to be Shane Gray. After checking the man’s driver license for validation, central dispatch advised the deputy to use caution with the suspect due to him being wanted out of Warren County for reckless endangerment and evading arrest. While the deputy was placing Gray under arrest, Gray advised the deputy he had a handgun in his waist band. After Gray was taken into custody, the deputy conducted an inventory search of the vehicle and found a shotgun, revolver, and a homemade explosive device. There were additional materials that could be used for making more explosives. The deputy also discovered approximately 100 grams of methamphetamine with a street value of $10,000; 2.4 ounces of marijuana along with several baggies, digital scales, and pipes. The officer further seized $3,786 dollars in cash and Gray’s 2002 Audi A5. There were over 300 rounds of ammunition with the weapons,” said Sheriff Ray.

“The Tennessee Highway Patrol Bomb Squad was summoned to take custody of the explosive device and destroyed it at the scene. The Smithville Fire Department and DeKalb County Emergency Medical Services were also placed on standby due to the severity of the scene with the explosive device and the Smithville Police Department assisted in the case,” Sheriff Ray concluded.

January 5, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

A local burglary and theft investigation has landed a McMinnville man in trouble with the law.

40-year-old James Robert Jones of McMinnville is charged with theft of property over $1,000, aggravated burglary, and two counts of burglary. His bond totals $70,000 and he will be in court January 13.

Sheriff Ray said that on December 21 Jones broke into a residence, outbuilding and a garage on Old Mill Hill Road, Dowelltown and stole several items including multiple tools, toolboxes, miscellaneous ammunition, arrowheads, etc with a total value at $6,220. Most of those items have been recovered.

42-year-old Benjamin Theodore Taylor of Lee Braswell Road is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $7,500 and he will make a court appearance on January 13.

Sheriff Ray said that on December 25 the Captain of the Sheriff’s Department was pulling up to D & D Market on Short Mountain Highway when he witnessed Taylor hitting a woman in the face with his hands. Taylor was arrested and taken into custody. The assault was also captured on video surveillance from the store.

40-year-old Scotty Brian Heard of Spring City is charged with an 8th offense of driving on a revoked license and possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver. He was also issued citations for running a stop sign, no insurance, littering, and carrying a prohibited weapon. His bond totals $17,500 and he will be in court January 13.

Sheriff Ray said that on December 27 a deputy performed a traffic stop of Heard for failing to stop at a stop sign. The officer noticed that Heard tossed a small bag out of the car window which contained 0.58 grams of a crystal-clear substance believed to be meth. During a pat down search, the deputy also found a pair of knucks on Heard. The officer further learned that Heard’s license has been revoked since November 2000 for failure to satisfy fines and costs. He has seven prior convictions for the same offense.

47-year-old Autumn Danielle White of Pea Ridge Road, Liberty is charged with resist stop frisk halt search or arrest. Her bond is $3,000 and she will be in court January 13.

Sheriff Ray said that on December 30 when a deputy tried to serve outstanding warrants out of Rutherford County against White, she ran into the residence trying to evade arrest, but she was taken into custody.

32-year-old Nathan Joshua Jedlicka of Cookeville is charged with driving under the influence. His bond is $2,500 and he will make a court appearance January 20. Sheriff Ray said that on December 31, a deputy was summoned to Highway 70 east due to a reckless driver and spotted the vehicle heading west and crossing over into the turning lane. The officer pulled over the automobile and spoke with the driver, Jedlicka, whose pupils were constricted and his eyes watery and bloodshot. Jelicka submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. The deputy obtained consent to search the vehicle and found intoxicants and paraphernalia.

January 5, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

They say all good things must come to an end!

After more than 40 years on the air as one of WJLE’s longest running Sunday morning radio programs, “The Way of Life Ministry”, presented by the New West Point Free Will Baptist Church, has signed off.

Brother Royce Moore, who has delivered the program’s Sunday morning message in the 7:30 a.m. time slot for 28 years, decided to end the series starting with the new year because of health reasons. Moore, now age 90, has been pastor at the New West Point Free Will Baptist Church for 44 years.

The Way of Life Ministry broadcast began on WJLE around 1980 started by Moore’s brother Jerry Moore, who was also a minister, and another brother, David Moore took over the program in 1990. Three years later a serious illness forced David to turn the radio ministry over to Royce Moore.

Over the years, the Way of Life Ministry, in addition to the message by Brother Moore featured on a regular basis either singers from the New West Point Free Will Baptist Church or a guest group known as the Calvary Trio (Eddie, Judy, and Zachary Fuson).

Brother Royce J. Moore and his wife Ruby Trobaugh Moore have been married for 66 years and they have three children, Eddie, Ellen, and Dwight along with six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Moore, now retired, worked for many years in the building trade profession, overseeing jobs in masonry, plumbing, electrical, and heat & air.

In his church, Royce served as a deacon for 16 years before being called to preach in 1974.

Brother Moore wishes to thank his faithful family, church, and WJLE listeners for their support of him and this 40 plus year radio ministry.