Cantrell Caught Driving Stolen Ford Explorer After Two County Law Enforcement Pursuit

February 5, 2024
By: Bill Conger

A Smithville man who led law enforcement officers on a pursuit in a stolen Ford Explorer from DeKalb into White County last Friday before being forcibly stopped has been charged with a variety of offenses.

55-year-old William Andrew (Andy) Cantrell of Redmon Road is under a bond of $32,500 and he will make a court appearance on February 22. He is charged with driving on a revoked or suspended license; resisting stop, frisk, halt, or search; evading arrest; reckless endangerment; and theft of property.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on February 2 a deputy tried to pull over a white Ford Explorer, driven by Cantrell for reckless driving on Sparta Highway. But after activating his emergency lights and sirens, the officer reported that Cantrell accelerated to speeds of over 100 miles per hour and along the way almost caused accidents by traveling on the wrong side of the road and passing several vehicles in no passing zones. The pursuit continued into White County where law enforcement officers there assisted the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department in stopping the Ford Explorer by putting down spike strips. Deputies from both counties eventually got Cantrell stopped by ramming the Ford Explorer with their cruisers. Cantrell then bailed out and tried to flee on foot but he was taken into custody. A check through central dispatch confirmed that Cantrell’s driver license was revoked and that the Ford Explorer had been stolen in Michigan.

50-year-old Jeffery Lynn Sanders of Highland Street, Smithville is charged with possession of a schedule I controlled substance with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond is $20,000 and he will be in court February 15.

Sheriff Ray said that on January 30 a deputy assisted a city officer in locating Sanders and after consenting to a search of his person, the deputy found  on Sanders 1.40 grams of a white powdery substance that Sanders claimed was heroin along with seven hypodermic needles, a spoon, and two straws containing a white powdery residue.

45-year-old Corey Glenn Dunham of Allen Ferry Road, Smithville is charged with driving under the influence. His bond is $2,500 and he will be in court February 22.

Sheriff Ray said that on February 3 a deputy was traveling east on Sparta Highway when he spotted a gray Kia Soul leave its lane of travel several times. He then pulled over the automobile at Fiddlers’ Campground on Sparta Highway and spoke with the driver, Dunham. According to the officer, Dunham’s speech was slurred, his eyes were glossy, and there was a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle and Dunham’s person. Dunham submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks.

35-year-old Rolando Epitacio Juarez of Nashville is charged with public intoxication. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court February 22.

Sheriff Ray said that on February 3 a deputy was dispatched to Sparta Highway due to two suspicious men passed out inside a vehicle parked in the roadway. While the officer was enroute, he learned from Central Dispatch that one of the men had awoken and took off running on foot. The officer spotted the man, Juarez stumbling alongside the highway. The deputy spoke with Juarez and detected a strong odor of alcohol on him. He also noticed that Jaurez’ eyes were glossy and that he was unsteady on his feet. Juarez admitted to having consumed four beers earlier that night.

58-year-old Jimmy Lee Marr of Old Bildad Road, Smithville is charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver and no driver license. His bond is $6,000 and he will make a court appearance February 22.

Sheriff Ray said that on February 4 a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for having a taillight out. The officer also knew that the registered owner did not have a license. He spoke with the driver, Marr and confirmed through a background check that Marr did not have a license. The deputy also detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. After receiving consent from Marr to search the automobile, the officer found 57.3 grams of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana.

February 5, 2024
By: Bill Conger

Anyone in the 6th district interested and qualified to fill the county commission vacancy created by the recent resignation of Justin Adcock will be given an opportunity to express their wishes during the next county commission committee of the whole meeting on Thursday, February 22 at 6 p.m. in the history room of the county complex.

Contenders will each be given three minutes to address the commission.

The county commission is expected to appoint someone to fill the vacancy at the next regular monthly meeting on Monday, February 26th at the Mike Foster Multipurpose Center Auditorium at 6:30pm.

The appointee will be sworn into office and serve for six months until the August County General Election in which someone will be elected to complete Adcock’s unexpired term which ends August 31, 2026.

Administrator of Elections Dustin Estes has announced that the office of County Commission District 6 will be on the August 1, 2024 ballot to fill the unexpired term. This election will be held in conjunction with the 2024 DeKalb County General Election.

County parties may certify a candidate by caucus by the qualifying deadline 12 NOON April 4, 2024.

Independents may pick up petitions beginning February 5, 2024.

February 5, 2024
By: Bill Conger

DeKalb West School has announced the January Students, Teacher, and Employee of the Month. Congratulations are in order for the following students: Eloise Hendrix, PreK, Lincoln Simon, Kindergarten, Ashton Wright, 1st grade, Alexandria McDaniel, 2nd grade, Mason Checchi, 3rd grade, Leo Dotts, 4th grade, Leah Chittwood, 5th grade, Billy Clark, 6th grade, Savana Muncey, 7th grade, and Autumn Crook, 8th grade.

Third grade educator Jessica Antoniak was named the Teacher of the Month, and McKenzie Dunaway was selected as the Employee of the Month.

(Pictured- Front row left to right are Mason Checchi, Lincoln Simon, Eloise Hendrix, Alexandria McDaniel, and Ashton Wright. Back row left to right are Assistant Principal Seth Willoughby, Teacher of the Month Jessica Antoniak, Savana Muncey, Autumn Crook, Billy Clark, Leah Chittwood, Leo Dotts, Employee of the Month McKenzie Dunaway, and Principal Sabrina Farler)

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