May 3, 2022
By: Dwayne Page
A woman caught tossing a bottle of whiskey to an inmate on a work detail has been charged with bringing contraband into a penal institution.
42-year-old Abigail Vogel of South College Street, Smithville is under a $5,000 bond and she will be in court May 19. Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on May 1 while supervising inmates cleaning the grounds of the jail, a correctional officer spotted Vogel toss something toward a prisoner who was mowing. The correctional officer retrieved the item, which was found to be a bottle, half filled with Jim Beam whiskey.
52-year-old Michael Steven Conners of Possum Hollow Road, Dowelltown is charged with aggravated assault. His bond is $10,000 and he will be in court April 28. Sheriff Ray said that on April 13 a deputy answered a call of a possible domestic assault and upon arrival spoke with the victim who reported that she was assaulted by her husband, Conners. The woman said she was struck several times in the head and face and she showed visible and physical evidence of abuse. The victim said Conners hit her about the head with a broom and that he threw a knife at her. He then picked up the knife and left the residence. Conners was already gone by the time the officer arrived. He was picked up a few days later.
50-year-old David Eugene Driver of Arrowhead Drive, Smithville is charged with a seventh offense of driving on a revoked license. He was also cited for no insurance and a display of license plate violation. His bond is $3,500 and he will make a court appearance May 12. Sheriff Ray said that on April 23 a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a gray Chevy S-10, driven by Driver, which had an obstruction on the license tag that made it unreadable. Knowing that Driver’s license was revoked, the officer placed him under arrest.
29-year-old Austin Duane Sigler of Tabernacle Road, Smithville is charged with unlawful possession of a weapon. His bond is $5,000 and he will be in court May 19. Sheriff Ray said that on March 15 Sigler filed an official theft report with a deputy at the sheriff’s office with a list of items taken including a 9 millimeter Beretta handgun valued at $800. Sigler, a convicted felon, is not legally allowed to possess firearms.
39-year-old David Brian Martin of Sparta is charged with possession of a schedule VI drug with intent to sell or deliver. His bond is $5,000 and he will be in court on May 12. Sheriff Ray said that on April 25 a deputy conducted a traffic stop after the driver of the vehicle failed to give a signal. While talking to the driver, Martin, the deputy obtained consent to search the vehicle and found in the back seat 4.25 ounces of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana in a gift bag.
40-year-old Joshua Leslie Johnson of Hendrixson Road, Smithville is charged with criminal impersonation. His bond is $3,500 and he will be in court May 19. Sheriff Ray said that on April 29 a deputy met Johnson on Cookeville Highway while searching for another person with active warrants. The officer asked Johnson for his name and date of birth and he replied that he was John Johnson and gave his birth date as December 7 although he could not remember the year. The officer later learned Johnson’s real name.
32 year old Blake Johnathon McHone of West Broad Street, Smithville is charged with being a fugitive from justice. His bond is $75,000 and he will he in court May 19. Sheriff Ray said that on April 28 McHone was arrested for another offense when a background check through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) revealed that McHone was wanted in Greenville County, South Carolina. Authorities there were notified and plan to extradite McHone.