April 22, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
A man convicted almost nine years ago for alien smuggling was arrested last week for illegal possession of a weapon and violation of bond conditions.
37-year-old Jonathan Lee Pedigo of Short Mountain Highway, Smithville is under a bond of $23,500 and will make a court appearance on May 2. Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on April 17 a deputy was summoned to a residence on Short Mountain Highway to assist the department of children services with a home visit. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with the homeowner, Pedigo who gave verbal consent for deputies to look around his residence. During a search, officers found a Stevens model 320- 20-gauge shotgun in the corner of the bedroom. When asked, Pedigo admitted to being a convicted felon due to the federal offense of alien smuggling committed on July 10, 2015. Central dispatch confirmed the conviction. According to the deputies, Pedigo admitted to being in possession of the firearm and having had contact with his son in violation of bond conditions.
An inmate is charged with the aggravated assault of another prisoner at the jail. 29-year-old Nathan Wayne Stout of Sparta is under a $7,500 bond and he will be in court May 2. Sheriff Ray said that on April 18 at around 3:54 p.m. a sheriff’s department correctional officer heard banging from the jail annex door. Two correctional officers went to the door and saw an inmate there with facial wounds. The injured prisoner was taken to the nurse for treatment. After reviewing jail surveillance video, Stout was determined to have been the inmate responsible for the assault. Stout allegedly inflicted blows to the inmate using closed fists and elbows to the head resulting in facial injuries.
25-year-old Dakoda Lane Vance of Cookeville Highway, Smithville is charged with aggravated assault. His bond is $10,000 and he will make a court appearance on May 2. Sheriff Ray said that on April 17 a deputy was summoned to a report of a domestic assault and upon arrival he spoke with a woman who said that she and her boyfriend, Vance had gotten into a verbal argument before he (Vance) allegedly pushed her to the ground, punched her in the face, and bit her. The woman, who had several bruises and red marks, claimed that Vance also tried to choke her.
45-year-old James Ricky Ashford, Jr. of Eckles Heights, Liberty is again charged with violation of the sex offender registry law. He is under a $15,000 bond and his court date is April 25. Sheriff Ray said Ashford failed to timely report his April 12 release from jail on a separate charge of violation of the sex offender registry law.
39-year-old Raymond Austin Simpson of Happy Valley Drive, Dowelltown is charged with public intoxication and resisting arrest. His bond is $5,000 and he will be in court May 9. Sheriff Ray said that on April 19 a deputy was dispatched to Church Street in Dowelltown due to a suspicious person. The officer confronted the suspect, Simpson on Church Street. According to the deputy, Simpson appeared to have been under the influence of alcohol. He smelled of alcohol and his speech was slurred. Simpson went back into his home and initially refused to come out. The officer entered the residence and placed Simpson under arrest.
55-year-old Alphonso Dewayne Maynard, Sr. of West View Avenue, Smithville is charged with simple possession of a schedule III drug and a second offense of driving on a revoked license. His bond is $10,000 and he will be in court May 2. Sheriff Ray said that on April 18 while patrolling Midway Road, a deputy spotted a green Dodge Dakota heading inbound. Knowing that the driver, Maynard had a revoked license because he had just been issued a ticket only eight minutes before, the officer again pulled him over and placed him under arrest. After receiving consent to search the vehicle, the officer found a clear container that held 1.5 peach-colored pills believed to be Buprenorphine. Maynard admitted that the pills belonged to him and that it was suboxone. Maynard’s license was revoked for failure to satisfy fines and costs in Wilson County on February 2, 2023.