May 6, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
An Alexandria man making hand gestures mimicking the firing of a gun after a dispute with a man and woman is facing assault charges.
49-year-old Michael Dwayne Bennett of Fuston Hollow Road Alexandria is charged with resisting arrest, driving on a revoked license, and assault (2 counts). His bond totals $17,000.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on April 23 a detective pulled over Bennett for driving on a revoked license. A background checked through central dispatch confirmed the offense. When told by the detective he was being arrested for DRL, Bennett became angry, refused to obey verbal commands, and pulled away when the detective grabbed his arm. After a brief struggle Bennett was placed in custody.
On the assault charges, Bennett was allegedly observed prowling around a residence and when confronted on a public roadway by both a man and woman, an altercation ensued between them and Bennett made a hand gesture toward them mimicking the firing of a gun causing the man and woman to fear imminent bodily injury.
35-year-old Debra Denise Waldo of Miller Road, Smithville is charged with driving on a revoked license and criminal impersonation. Her bond is $7,500 and she will be in court May 15.
Sheriff Ray said that on April 29 a detective was patrolling Evins Mill Road when he noticed a black Ford F150 traveling in the opposite lane. The detective pulled over the vehicle and spoke with the driver, a woman who identified herself as Candice Stajda and she gave her date of birth as September 18, 2000, A background check of the license through central dispatch revealed no record of that name. The woman was determined to actually be Waldo after a further investigation. Waldo lied about her name knowing she was wanted in both White and DeKalb County and for a revoked license offense. A background check on Waldo revealed that her license was revoked due to a DUI in Bradley County with a revocation date of September 1, 2015.
31-year-old Gerardo Morales of Blue Springs Road, Smithville is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $3,500 and he will be in court May 8.
Sheriff Ray said that on April 20 a deputy was summoned to Blue Springs Road due to a domestic abuse complaint. Upon arrival the officer spoke with a woman and her daughter. According to the woman, Morales and her daughter had gotten into an argument and she slapped Morales’ arm to get him away from her daughter. Morales then hit her (mother) on the left side of the face causing swelling and bruising. Statements were taken from both women and Morales was placed in custody.