February 25, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
Five people charged in recent drug investigations appeared for sentencing in DeKalb County Criminal Court Friday.
Judge Gary McKenzie presided.
22 year old Braxton Kain Bennett entered a plea to simple possession of methamphetamine and received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days to serve. The term is to run concurrently with all other convictions and sentences against him. Bennett was given jail credit of 142 days.
He was originally charged by Smithville Police on Thursday, October 4, 2018 for filing a false report and manufacture, delivery, sale, or possession of methamphetamine. He had also been cited for unlawful possession without a prescription.
According to Smithville Police, Bennett said that he had been driving a white Lexus that night when an officer was attempting to make a traffic stop on the vehicle at Gentry Avenue. Bennett further stated that he was the only occupant of the car. However witness accounts and video evidence proved that Bennett’s account was false. The video showed Bennett in the back seat behind the driver with three other persons inside the vehicle. After learning that the car held illegal substances, police conducted a search and found approximately 0.5 grams of a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine, two scales, a glass pipe, needles, spoons and multiple baggies. Also found were two-half white pills.
Meanwhile 39 year old Laurie A. Southard entered a plea to sale of a schedule IV drug (Alprazolam) and received a three year sentence on probation pursuant to judicial diversion. She is to make restitution of $362 to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department.
66 year old Judy Phillips entered a plea to sale of a schedule II drug (Morphine) and received a four year sentence on TDOC probation. She must make restitution of $352 to the sheriff’s department.
27 year old Damon L. West entered a plea to sale of a schedule II drug (Oxycodone) and received a six year sentence on TDOC probation subject to judicial diversion. He must make restitution of $260 to the sheriff’s department. He was given jail credit of 115 days.
46 year old Arthur Brad Webb entered a plea to sale of a schedule VI drug (Marijuana) and received a two year sentence suspended to probation subject to judicial diversion. He must make restitution of $490 to the sheriff’s department.
Southard, Phillips, West, and Webb were among those named in sealed indictments returned by the DeKalb County Grand Jury in a special session Monday, October 29, 2018 as a result of an undercover drug investigation by the Sheriff’s Department which began last February.