August 7, 2018
By: Dwayne Page
A man recently caught driving without a license was found with marijuana, meth, and pills in his vehicle.
36 year old Willie Ray Murphy of West Bryant Street, Smithville is charged with simple possession of a schedule VI drug (marijuana), possession of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine or ICE), possession of a schedule IV drug (clonazapam), driving while in possession of methamphetamine, and driving while license restricted. Murphy’s bond is $33,500 and his court date is August 16.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on July 9 a deputy was traveling south on Short Mountain Highway when he spotted Murphy operating a motor vehicle. Knowing that Murphy did not have a license, the officer turned around to make a traffic stop. Murphy pulled over, got out of the driver seat, and ran to a house where he entered through a back door. The deputy found in the vehicle a small clear container with what appeared to be meth or ICE (which weighed 7.4 grams), a small bag containing 20 yellow pills believed to be clonazapam, a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana (which weighed 3.1 grams), and a used glass pipe.
Murphy was convicted in 2009 as an habitual offender in Cumberland County. In 2014, he was convicted again for driving as an habitual offender in Smith County.
30 year old Mary Katherine Ross of Sparta is charged with a second offense of driving under the influence. Ross’ bond is $3,000 and her court date is August 23.
Sheriff Ray said that on Sunday, August 5 a deputy was called to Nashville Highway where a woman was found passed out in the driver seat of a vehicle with the engine running. Upon arrival the officer observed the woman, Ross slumped over behind the steering wheel. After waking her, the officer asked Ross to submit to field sobriety tasks. She performed poorly on those exercises. The officer learned that Ross has one prior DUI conviction which was in White County on October 21, 2014. She was placed under arrest.