Lawson Gets Probated Sentence for Smuggling Drugs into Jail

September 18, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

A female prisoner charged with smuggling narcotics into the DeKalb County Jail last year appeared for sentencing in DeKalb County Criminal Court last Monday, September 10.

Judge Gary McKenzie presided.

40 year old Amy Lawson entered a plea to introduction of contraband and received a three year probated sentence. The term is to run concurrently with a 10 year White County sentence against her for violation of probation. She has been given jail credit of 218 days including one day in Coffee County, 146 days in Warren County, and 71 days in DeKalb County.

Lawson was one of four female prisoners charged in the case on February 17, 2017

Sheriff Patrick Ray said at the time that his department received a tip that one of the prisoners had drugs concealed in her when she entered the jail but he never disclosed which one.

Acting on that information, Sheriff Ray said he ordered a surprise shakedown of the women’s main cell and the side cell where all the female inmates are kept. Their bunks and personal belongings were searched. Some drugs were found there. All the female prisoners were then removed from the main and side cells for women one at a time and taken to a bathroom where they were individually strip searched by a female correctional officer before being taken to a holding cell.

Apparently fearing they would be subject to a warrant for a body cavity search, three of the female inmates swallowed the drugs they had hidden in their bodies. All three were taken to the hospital after one of them began showing signs of intoxication.

A glass looking substance believed to be meth was found in Lawson’s personal belongings along with a blue pill thought to be morphine and other unidentified pills.

September 18, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

Matt Butler is a folk artist, a rock’n roller, and most importantly – a storyteller and he brought his Foundation Tour to Smithville today (Tuesday) in conjunction with National Recovery month.

Butler performed at the Joe L. Evins Park Amphitheater downtown before visiting the DeKalb County Jail to share his recovery story face to face with the inmates and to perform for them.

IMG_1225 from dwayne page on Vimeo.

“We’re here at Joe L. Evins Park and we are having a concert for National Recovery Month. We have Matt Butler here and he is currently touring the country doing a behind the walls tour where he is going into jails and treatment facilities across the country to share his story of recovery and bring together people through music. We are excited to have him here today. We have both the DeKalb County Recovery Court as well as Sober Living Services of Tennessee residents here today to celebrate National Recovery Month and the ladies of the First Baptist Church in Smithville also provided a wonderful breakfast for us. We are thankful for the support of our community,” said Norene Puckett, Coordinator of the DeKalb County Recovery Court

Butler found recovery over 4 years ago, and his debut solo album, Reckless Son, released in 2016 is a chronicle of his experience during and leading up to early sobriety.  Since then, Butler has been asked to be a testimonial speaker and performer at numerous events.  He is eager to share his passion for both recovery and artistry. Butler recently founded his own Non-profit organization, the Just One Foundation, with the aim of bringing music with a message to those most in need, and his Foundation Tour is his inaugural venture.

September 18, 2018
By: Bill Conger

The DeKalb County High School Bass team reeled in its first win of the season. Eighty-five boats competed in the tournament this past Saturday on Center Hill Lake. Nine of the boats represented the new D.C.H.S. club.

The team of Morgan Clifton and Braden Martin placed third with five fish that weighed 7. 92 pounds. Their prize was a check for $262.00 and a $25 gift card.  Another team boasting two girls won a $25 gift card.

“The weather was not the best,” says Team Sponsor Kim Young. “It was very hot and a little breezy.”

Each boat had an adult captain accompanying the team. “We would like to thank all our captains that came out this Saturday,” says Young. “We would also like to thank the community for all of their support. It takes a great effort to start a new club at D.C.H.S. We look forward to future tournaments.”

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