Hale Gets Probation for Arson and Credit for Time Served

February 23, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

A man charged with arson after setting fire to the home where he lived at 5078 Lower Helton Road near Alexandria in November entered a plea by criminal information in DeKalb County Criminal Court Friday.

Judge David Patterson presided.

46 year old Jason Bryan Hale received a four year sentence on the arson charge but he has been given jail credit of 107 days served and he will be on supervised probation for the remainder of the term Other charges against him were apparently dismissed including a charge of assaulting an officer and resisting stop, frisk, halt, arrest, or search.

Central dispatch received the call at 5:58 p.m. on November 8, 2017 and paged members of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department. The caller alerted 911 that someone was still inside the home and that he refused to leave. It was later reported that the man had gone outside the home and was armed with a shotgun.

Sheriff Patrick Ray and officers of the Sheriff’s Department arrived at the scene and took the man (Hale) into custody. It turns out that Hale had no weapon, but he did hit an officer while being moved to safety prior to his arrest.

The home was destroyed in the blaze. The owner of the residence was Ann Greene.

Sheriff Ray said the arson warrant against Hale alleged that “he did knowingly damage the structure of 5078 Lower Helton Road by setting it on fire. Hale did have the intent to destroy the residence”.

In the warrant for assaulting an officer, Sheriff Ray said “a deputy responded to 5078 Lower Helton Road for a structure fire. Upon arrival he made contact with Hale and while trying to move him to safety Hale intentionally and recklessly struck him in the face with his right hand”.

Sheriff Ray said that in the warrant for resisting stop, frisk, and halt, “ a deputy responded to a structure fire and while on the scene as he was placing Hale under arrest for assault, he actively resisted by pulling his arms and not cooperating with lawful commands to put his hands behind his back. Hale was arrested and brought to the jail for booking,” said Sheriff Ray.

Neither the deputy nor anyone else was injured.

In addition to the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department, Sheriff’s Department, and DeKalb EMS, members of the Alexandria Volunteer Fire Department and Alexandria Police Chief Chris Russell were called to provide mutual aid support.

February 23, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department will have more officers at schools Friday to help ease worries after rumors surfaced on social media Thursday that a student was planning to carry out a threat at the high school.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said the rumors proved to be unfounded.

In a prepared statement, Sheriff Ray explained how the story unfolded.

“Around 6 pm on February 22, 2018 the School Resource Officer at the High School contacted me and advised me he had a concerned parent call him. The parent said their child had overheard a student make a threat to the DeKalb County High School.

I immediately contacted a Detective from my department to investigate the complaint.

Through an investigation, the Detective and School Resource Officer found out a 17 year old DeKalb County High School student made a comment that was interpreted as a threat to the school. Both of them interviewed the student and the student said he did not make the comment. The Detective and School Resource Officer also talked to a teacher who was present at the time the comment was made. The teacher confirmed the student never said anything about harming the school.

The Sheriff’s Department has been working with the Director of Schools, Patrick Cripps, the Principal of DeKalb County High School, Randy Jennings, and school support staff along with the Assistant District Attorney General Stephanie Johnson since the investigation started.

Director of Schools Patrick Cripps is reporting “Last evening we received information concerning a potential threat to DeKalb County High School. Law enforcement was contacted and an investigation has been initiated.

We would like to remind all families of DeKalb County that the safety of our students is our utmost concern and we will continue to be proactive in ensuring all students remain safe.”

Sheriff Ray said “After our investigation started, there were multiple posts going around on social media that were incorrect and causing a panic. As a result, I will have extra Deputies in and out of the schools tomorrow (Friday) and a couple of deputies placed in certain schools along with the School Resource Officers as a safeguard for our students and school faculty.”

February 23, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

The Smithville Police Department and Chief Mark Collins would like to extend their gratitude to all of the concerned citizens for the overwhelming amount of phone calls and Facebook posts in regards to the current school situation.

“I was contacted by a representative of the school system in regards to this matter late Thursday afternoon. The Smithville Police Department then took measures to have extra officers at all schools located within the city limits. Myself and the Smithville Police Department take the safety of all students and faculty both on campus and in transit very seriously. We will continue to monitor this situation and provide services as needed,” said Chief Collins.

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