Ballinger named in Sealed Indictment for Auto Burglary and Theft

April 6, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Another grand Jury sealed indictment has been served.

42 year old Michael Lloyd Ballinger of Lebanon was indicted last week for auto burglary and theft of property. His bond is $75,000. He was arraigned Monday in DeKalb County Criminal Court.

Meanwhile in other recent county crime news.

31 year old Michael Joseph Lee of Estes Street Smithville is charged with violation of an order of protection. His bond is $3,500 and he will be in court April 8.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on March 29 a deputy was informed that Lee was at an address on Estes Street where he was not supposed to be due to an order of protection against him. Upon arrival the officer found Lee at this home and learned that he is on probation house arrest. He was taken into custody.

34 year old Jason Alexander Sturdivant of Page Drive is charged with auto burglary and theft of property. His bond is $5,000 and he will be in court May 13. Sheriff Ray said that on February 21 Sturdivant broke into and stole a 2002 GMC Yukon valued at $1,200.

51 year old Billy Eugene Cook , Jr. of Kendra Drive is charged with a 2nd offense of driving on a suspended license and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is under a $2,500 bond and his court date is May 6.

Sheriff Ray said that on March 31 a deputy spotted a Toyota Tundra with an inoperable tail light being driven by Cook. The officer knew that Cook’s license were suspended and had warned Cook the previous day not to be driving. The deputy pulled Cook over and placed him under arrest. During an inventory search of the vehicle the officer discovered several glass pipes along with a set of digital scales with a white crystal like residue.

46 year old Christopher Alan Scruggs of Highland Avenue is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver, simple possession of a schedule VI and III drug (marijuana and suboxone), driving while in possession of methamphetamine, and driving on a suspended license. He was further cited for making an improper turn and no insurance. His bond totals $31,000 and he will be in court May 6.

Sheriff Ray said that on April 1 a deputy while patrolling the area of Smith Road spotted a Nissan car making a wide right turn from Smith Road onto Cookeville Highway crossing over the yellow divider line separating the northbound travel lane from the dedicated turning lane. The officer pulled over the driver, Scruggs and a background check revealed that his license were suspended. When the officer asked him if he was in possession of anything illegal, Smith said he had in the back of the car a safe containing methamphetamine. A search of the safe revealed a white crystal like substance which weighed 24.5 grams, a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, and two orange pills thought to be suboxone.

34 year old Christopher Peter Mulford of Hayes Court is charged with driving under the influence. He was further cited for roadways laned for travel and no insurance His bond is $3,500 and he will be in court May 6.

Sheriff Ray said that on April 1 a deputy spotted a green Hyundai Sonata cross the yellow line of the highway several times. He pulled over the vehicle and spoke to the driver, Mulford whose speech was slurred. Mulford submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. He was then placed under arrest.

24 year old Haley Jada Sosa of Path Drive, Smithville is charged with domestic assault. Her bond is $2,500 and she will be in court May 6.

Sheriff Ray said that on April 4 a deputy was summoned to Path Drive due to a physical domestic. Upon arrival he spoke with a man who said that his wife, Sosa began arguing with him after her ex-boyfriend showed up. He said that Sosa then pulled a piercing from his left eyebrow and elbowed him on the left side of his face. Sosa was then placed under arrest.

April 6, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

A local liquor store is undergoing a change in ownership and the Smithville Mayor and Aldermen Monday night approved a certificate of compliance by the new owners.

Center Hill Wine and Spirits at 725 South Congress Boulevard beside Food Lion opened in 2015. The owner, James Bradshaw is selling the business to Kimberly Hunt and Michael Hopkins pending approval of city and state conditions for the new owners’ liquor license.

Smithville Mayor and Aldermen discuss certificate of compliance for liquor store from dwayne page on Vimeo.

Under city and state laws, the aldermen must adopt a new liquor store owner’s certificate of compliance before he or she can make application to the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The agency which has the sole authority to grant a liquor license. The certificate of compliance signifies the store owner has met all the city’s requirements for an application to the state.

City Administrator Hunter Hendrixson said the applicants have met conditions for approval of a certificate of compliance under the city’s liquor ordinance. One requirement is that the new owners, like the current one, must keep at least a $150,000 inventory of liquor at all times.

April 6, 2021
By:

A new member has been named to the DeKalb County Election Commission by the Tennessee Election Commission.

Mrs. Yvette Tubbs Carver, a resident of Alexandria, is replacing Jackie Smith as one of the two democratic members of the local commission. Smith recently retired and requested that she not be reappointed to the county election commission.

“I am truly humbled to have an opportunity to serve alongside Kim Luton as we work together to serve DeKalb County. I am confident that with a shared vision and a commitment to the wonderful people of this county, we can ensure every vote counts. With the help of the election commission, together we can expand access and opportunities for voting to equip the residents of our county to uphold our values and allow their voices to be heard,” said Carver.

Since the state legislature is made up of a majority of GOP lawmakers, Republicans have the right to hold majority memberships on the Tennessee Election Commission as well as all county election commissions. The appointments to local commissions are made by the state election commission in April of odd numbered years. The term for each member is for two years.

The other Democrat on the county election commission is Mrs. Kim Driver Luton, a resident of Smithville. Luton has been reappointed by the Tennessee Election Commission and will be starting her first full term. Luton has been serving as a Commissioner since January 28, 2021 when she was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the death of Commissioner Lisa Peterson.

“I look forward to serving my first official term with Yvette Carver. Together, we will work towards consistent early voting hours, add one hour back to election day as well as work towards an early voting day in Alexandria. I believe the entire Election Commission will work together towards these goals and others as we count every vote,” said Luton.

Jordan Wilkins, Chair of the DeKalb Democratic Party, stated: “I first want to thank Mrs. Jackie Smith for her honorable six years of service as an election commissioner. I wish her well in her retirement. I am elated that with the appointment of Yvette and Kim, DeKalb Democrats continue to demonstrate that diversity is our strength. After reviewing the geographic representation of the previous election commission memberships, I felt it had been far too long since the Alexandria community had a representative on the local commission. Yvette and Kim are both former members of the local Democratic Executive Committee and I know they will represent our party with pride. I believe Yvette and Kim will be a powerful team that will work with all members of the commission to ensure transparent, safe, and accessible elections in DeKalb County. It is a privilege to have recommended both of these outstanding people to serve and I can’t wait to see what they accomplish over the next two years.”