Murphy Busted by Sheriff’s Department for illegal possession of drugs and a weapon

November 18, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Many times, a routine traffic stop by local law enforcement leads to the discovery of illegal narcotics. Such was the case in the recent arrest of 31-year-old Alex Wayne Murphy of Ferrell Road, Smithville.

Murphy is charged with possession of a firearm during a felony; possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver; possession of a schedule V drug; simple possession of a schedule III drug; and driving on a revoked license. Murphy’s bond totals $47,500 and he will be in court December 5.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on November 14 a deputy was patrolling when he spotted a silver Chevrolet HHR cross the center line on Hayes Street. A background check revealed that the tag on the vehicle was for a different automobile and that Murphy’s driver license was revoked due to a DUI in August 2024. The officer pulled over the automobile and spoke with the driver, Murphy who gave consent to search the vehicle. Located during the search was a vape that had been hollowed out and inside it was a black tube containing four pieces of an orange-colored pill thought to be Buprenorphine and a glass container with a clear crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine with a container weight of 1.66 grams. Found in the backseat was a High Point model CF 380 auto pistol. The search also turned up a yellow pill believed to be Gabapentin.

24-year-old Robert Stephen Ryan Derrick of Cookeville is named in a grand jury sealed indictment charged with four counts of methamphetamine possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver. The offense dates were September 11 and September 19, 2023. His bond totals $400,000 and he will be arraigned in criminal court Tuesday, November 19.

39-year-old Joshua Joe King of Allen Ferry Road is charged with two counts of domestic assault. He is under a $7,000 bond and his court date is December 5.

Sheriff Ray said that on November 17 King allegedly assaulted his wife and daughter. The victims stated that King became irate during an argument and began throwing items in the home, kicking the coffee table toward his wife as she sat on the couch with her grandson. The victims also claimed that during the argument King grabbed a shotgun from the bedroom and walked out the door and said, “let’s go to the barn”. King’s actions caused his wife and daughter to fear for their safety.

61-year-old James L. Bullard of King Ridge Road, Dowelltown is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond is $51,500 and he will make a court appearance on December 5.

Sheriff Ray said that on November 17 a deputy responded to a trespassing call on Midway Road, Smithville. Upon arrival the officer spoke with the alleged trespasser, Bullard. During the conversation the deputy spotted in plain sight a pill container. Bullard’s name was in the grass next to him. The officer picked up the container and saw a plastic baggie which held a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine inside of the container. The baggie weighed two grams. Upon a search incident to arrest, Bullard produced from his pants pocket a bowl and a clear glass pipe containing residue.

49-year-old Clarence Benjamin McConnell of Allen’s Chapel Road is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of a controlled substance with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver; and unlawful possession of a weapon. His bond totals $29,000 and he will be in court November 21.

Sheriff Ray said that on November 5 a deputy responded to Allen’s Chapel Road to serve an order of protection. Upon arrival he spoke to the victim who stated that McConnell, a convicted felon, was in possession of a handgun. McConnell admitted to having possession of a 6 Sawyer handgun earlier that morning. The deputy spoke to a neighbor who said there were items in his car that McConnell had asked him to hold onto for him. Several items of drug paraphernalia were found including scales along with a large baggie that held a green leafy substance thought to be marijuana which weighed 14.32 grams. McConnell admitted that the marijuana belonged to him. Inside a container were scales, several bongs, grinders, rolling papers, and clear baggies that held residue of a green leafy substance. The deputy recovered the 6 Sawyer P320M17 handgun. McConnell claimed that he was holding onto the gun for someone else. A background check confirmed that McConnell is a convicted felon due to a charge in New Hampshire for possession of drugs with intent to sell in May 1997.

52-year-old Billie Jo Morris of Kings Court Circle is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia. Her bond is $22,500 and she will be in court November 21.

Sheriff Ray said that on November 5 a deputy was patrolling Adcock Cemetery Road when he noticed a white Chevy Impala driving on the wrong side of the road. He pulled over the car and spoke with the driver, Morris. When the officer asked to see her driver license, a used glass pipe with burn marks and white residue inside of it fell out of Morris’ purse. A subsequent search of the vehicle was conducted and inside were two baggies of a crystal-like substance thought to be methamphetamine. One baggie weighed 2.71 grams, and the other weight was 0.43 grams with a combined weight of 3.14 grams. One of the baggies was inside Morris’ purse and the other was in a black grinder with a green leafy residue on the passenger floorboard of the car. Morris claimed it belonged to her.

30-year-old Brooklyn Michelle Guy of Lebanon is charged with driving on a revoked or suspended license and cited for no insurance. Her bond is $3,500 and the court date is November 21. Sheriff Ray said a deputy was recently dispatched to Nashville Highway due to a vehicle accident. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with Guy, the driver. A background check through central dispatch revealed that her driver license was suspended.

39-year-old Andrea Colleen Claspell of Green Hill Road, Smithville is charged with vandalism. Her bond is $5,000 and she will make a court appearance on December 5.

Sheriff Ray said that on November 7 a deputy was summoned to Big Woods Road due to a fight. Upon arrival he found Claspell in the driveway. Claspell stated that she and another woman became involved in an altercation and that she (Claspell) had picked up an axle drive shaft and hit a car causing damage to the rear bumper.

66-year-old Terry Lynn Skelenka of Woodbury Highway is charged with driving under the influence. Her bond is $3,500.

Sheriff Ray said that on October 26 a deputy was west on East Broad Street, Smithville when he spotted a black Nissan Altima leaving its lane and travel several times. The driver side headlight was also out. The officer pulled over the vehicle and spoke with the driver, Skelenka who smelled of alcohol. She admitted to having consumed four alcoholic beverages prior to driving. Skelenka was also unsteady on her feet. Her eyes were red and watery, and she submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks.

November 18, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

The October Teacher of the Month award at DeKalb County High School goes to Luke Green.

For winning the honor, Green received a certificate from the school and a gift card for a meal at Kilgore’s Restaurant.

Green, a math/algebra II teacher, was selected by the administration as Teacher of the Month. He has been a DCHS educator for four years.

“I’m excited and honored,” said Green. “It’s a privilege to work here and be able to come back and teach where I went to school and be able to give back to the community,” he said.

Luke and his wife Macy have been married for almost a year. His parents are Donny and Misty Green and he has a sister Kayley.

A 2017 graduate of DCHS, Green furthered his education at Tennessee Tech University where he majored in secondary education with a focus on mathematics and a minor in math.

When he is not in the classroom, Green serves as an assistant DCHS football coach and he is an active and award-winning member of the DeKalb County Fire Department.

November 17, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

DCHS Basketball Coaches Joey Agee and Brandy Alley are about to embark on their third year at the helm of the boys’ and girls’ programs with high hopes for a successful campaign.

The 2024-25 season begins Tuesday, November 19 as the Tigers and Lady Tigers travel to Wilson Central in the annual Hall of Fame competition. Action begins with the girls’ game at 6 p.m. followed by the boys’ game. WJLE will have LIVE coverage with John Pryor.

This year’s Tiger squad is made up of three seniors, Seth Fuson, Dallas Kirby, and Jordan Parker along with four Juniors, Jon Hendrix, Wyatt Carter, Logan Duke, and David Wheeler. The sophomores are Ben Driver, Kiece Hannah, and Chase Young and the freshmen are Cooper Odom, Elliot Barnes, Hartley Hannah, Carter Melson, Anthony Moore, Porter Hancock, J.T. Summers, Kingston Mills, Drew Cook, Johnny Colwell, and Carson Davis. The managers are Max Hendrixson and Lee Tramel. Head Tiger Coach Joey Agee is assisted by Coach Cody Randolph.

“Our preseason has gone pretty well,” said Coach Agee. “We had a scrimmage last Tuesday night and I was pleased with the kids’ effort. Still, we have a lot of things to clean up, but it’s gone well so far,” he said.

This year’s team will be led by three seniors, Seth Fuson, Dallas Kirby, and Jordan Parker. “We’re really going to count on these guys especially early in the year as some of the younger guys are coming along,” said Coach Agee. “All three seniors have played a lot of basketball over the last couple of years,” he said.

“We also have Jon Hendrix, a junior returning. He has played as a freshman, and he played a ton last year. He will be a returning starter for us,” explained Coach Agee.

“Logan Duke, a junior had a really good summer. He has come on, grown quite a bit and gotten stronger. We will count on him a lot,” Coach Agee continued.

“We’re trying to find some guys to come off the bench or who will work into the starting lineup at some point. We have some freshman we are excited about and sophomores and juniors we will be counting on more throughout the year. We’re pretty young off the bench so we’ll have to get them some experience early in the year,” said Coach Agee.

“Our style of play will be similar to what we’ve run in the past. We have changed our offense up a little bit. We think we have found an offense we will be able to keep from year to year instead of having to change it so much. We have really worked over the course of last year to this past summer trying to find something we think we can continuously run from year to year no matter the kids. We will have to rebound the ball well. We are not a large team but we’re scrappy and I think that will go a long way,” added Coach Agee.

Although the Tigers are not predicted to finish among the top teams in the district, Coach Agee said knowing that should give the team some motivation to prove the forecasters wrong.

“We’re picked fifth out of the six teams by the media and coaches in our district. It should be a motivation for the kids to try to prove people wrong. Upperman is going to be really good again. Ty Cobb is just a sophomore. He was their best player last year as a freshman. Bronzden Chaffin is their quarterback for Upperman. He’s back as a junior so they have their top two guys back,” explained Coach Agee.

“Stone Memorial still has Cade Capps. He can absolutely fill it up. White County is also going to be very good again. Livingston Academy is young, but I saw them this past summer and they’re going to be good. They really push the ball and shoot the ball really well. As for Cumberland County, I talked to a coach this week who has seen them in the last few days. He said they shoot the ball really well. They have a new coach so we don’t know what to expect from them. I do know they have some young guys that can absolutely shoot it. So our district is going to be tough every night from January on,” Coach Agee said.

“Outside of our district we have Warren County, Watertown, Smith County, and Cannon County and all those are great basketball schools. We will start at Wilson Central Tuesday night (November 19). They were here last year for the Hall of Fame but their coach last year Michael Teeter has left for Friendship Christian. I don’t know what style of play they will have but they (Wilson Central) will have a couple of their top kids back from last year. One of them scored 38 or 40 points against us last year. It was a high scoring game and we lost 93 to 77. They will be really good again. Then on Saturday (November 23) we will play in a Hall of Fame Play Day at Gordonsville against Liberty Creek and Gordonsville,” said Coach Agee.

The Lady Tigers will be led by three seniors, Avery Agee, Caroline Crook, and Laurie Rigsby. The squad also includes three juniors, Chloe VanVranken, Bella Rackley, and Allie Melton; two sophomores, Brooklyn Fuson and Lillie Young; and four freshmen, Autumn Crook, Jordan Agee, Jerusalem Aldino and Millie Barton. Lady Tiger Head Coach Brandy Alley is joined by Assistant Coach David Walla. Managers are Alyssa Hendrix, Kaylee Mosley, Tenisha Owens, and Pixi Willingham.

“We have a newer crew coming in and there’s a lot of restarts but it’s a good group of kids. They are all bought in and want to do what we need to do and continue to grow and improve every day,” said Coach Alley. “Our returning senior is Avery Agee and we have added seniors Caroline Crook and Laurie Rigsby,” she said.

As always, Coach Alley expects a tough and competitive road to the regular season district title among the six teams that make up District 7AAA.

“Our district is going to be one of the toughest around again. We have some amazing coaches who will challenge you every single night and these kids work hard all throughout the Upper Cumberland”, Coach Alley said.

“Hopefully our style of play will be fast and a little more structured. I let some the speed take over before but this year we’re not going to get that. We will still be a rough defensive group and hopefully every night we will get after it and leave teams tired at least when they come through here,’ she said.

Meanwhile, members of the DCHS Basketball Cheerleaders are:
Sara Moore (Captain)
Madeline Martin (Captain)
Eden Garner (Captain)
Annabella Dakas (Captain)
Julianna Haynes
Ava Wardlaw
Averie McMinn
Khloe Grandstaff
Jaycee Daley
Yvette Chivers
Kenzie Moss
Izzy Prichard
Brylee Kirby
Landen Tubbs
Lola Colwell
Shelia Kirby (Head Coach)
Hayley Martin (Coach)
Jazelle Featherston

2024-25 DCHS Tigers and Lady Tigers Basketball Schedule
*District – 7AAA Games
Date -Time -Opponent- Home/Away

NOVEMBER
Tues, 11/19- 6:00pm- Wilson Central-HOF AWAY • Non-District
Sat, 11/23- TBA- Gordonsville- HOF AWAY • Non-District
Mon, 11/25- 6:00pm –Monterey- HOME • Non-District
Fri, 11/29- 6:00pm- Cannon County- AWAY • Non-District

DECEMBER
Tues, 12/3-6:00pm-Smith County- AWAY • Non-District
Fri, 12/6- 6:00pm- Watertown- HOME • Non-District
Mon, 12/9- 6:00pm-Cannon County- HOME • Non-District
Fri, 12/13 -6:00pm- Warren County- HOME • Non-District
Tues, 12/17- 6:00pm- Watertown- AWAY • Non-District
Thurs , 12/19-Sat. 12/21-TBA- Frank’s Shootout-White County • Non-District
Fri, 12/27-Mon 12/30-TBA Aflac Classic-Watertown • Non-District-TBA

JANUARY
Tues. 1/7-6:00pm-Smith County-HOME • District
Fri. 1/10-6:00pm-White County*- AWAY• District
Tues. 1/14-6:00pm-Cumberland County*- AWAY • District
Fri, 1/17-6:00pm-Upperman*-HOME • District
Tues, 1/21-6:00pm-Livingston Academy*-HOME • District
Fri. 1/24-6:00 pm- Stone Memorial*-AWAY• District
Mon. 1/27-6:00 pm- Warren County- AWAY• Non-District
Tues .1/28- OPEN DATE FOR DISTRICT MAKEUP
Fri, 1/31-6:00pm-White County*-HOME • District

FEBRUARY
Tues. 2/4-6:00pm-Cumberland County*-HOME • District
Fri, 2/7-6:00pm-Upperman*-AWAY • District
Tues. 2/11- 6:00 pm-Livingston Academy*-AWAY • District
Fri. 2/14-6:00 pm- Stone Memorial*-HOME• District

District Tournament-TBA

*District 7AAA Games. Game time listed is the start of the girls contest. Boys contest to follow

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