Arrest Made in Rash of Storage Unit Burglaries After Joint Investigation by County and City Authorities

June 14, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

A Joint investigation by the Smithville Police and DeKalb County Sheriff’s Departments has resulted in the arrest of a man charged in a rash of recent Mini-Storage unit burglaries and thefts.

45-year-old Robert Thomas Bradford, Jr. of Midway Road, Smithville is under a total bond of $135,000 and his court date is June 22. He was arrested on Monday, June 12 after a search warrant was executed at Bradford’s home where several stolen goods from the storage units were found along with other items believed to be stolen.

According to Chief Mark Collins, the Smithville Police Department has brought burglary, vandalism and theft charges against Bradford in cases involving three victims at Lockhart Mini-Storage.

In one case, Bradford is charged with burglary and theft of property in which he allegedly cut locks off a storage unit and then stole 65 belt buckles, a wooden chest, personal tax papers, and a crate of miscellaneous large size clothing. The total restitution value is $13,650.

In another case, Bradford is charged with burglary for allegedly cutting locks off another storage unit before entering with intent to commit theft of several items.

In the third case, Bradford is accused of having used bolt cutters to cut the locks off two other storage units. The restitution value is $1,100 for the vandalism.

Meanwhile Sheriff Patrick Ray said that Bradford victimized four other people by breaking into their rental units at Highway 70 Boat and Mini Storage and Snow Hill Mini Storage between May 23 and June 7th.

The offenses occurred as follows:

May 23: Bradford is charged with burglary, theft of property, and vandalism. He allegedly cut the lock off a door destroying the lock before entering a unit at the Highway 70 Boat and Mini Storage business and stealing several firearm accessories, a Toro leaf blower, several computers and other items. The total restitution value is $1,912.

June 1: Bradford is charged with burglary, theft, and vandalism for allegedly cutting a lock off the door of a mini storage unit at Highway 70 Boat and Mini Storage destroying the lock before entering and stealing several items including currency, arrowheads, several tools, purse, jewelry, and other items. The total restitution value is $3,435.

June 7: Bradford is charged with burglary, theft, and vandalism for allegedly cutting the lock off a unit at the Snow Hill Mini Storage business destroying the lock before entering and stealing several items including tools, air compressor, and a pair of Puma golf shoes. Total restitution value $948.

June 7: Bradford is charged with burglary, theft, and vandalism for allegedly cutting the lock off another unit at Snow Hill Mini Storage destroying the lock before entering and stealing several items including a band saw, drill press, battery charger, and an 8-foot ladder. The total restitution value is $950.

Meanwhile, in a separate report from the Sheriff’s Department concerning other recent crime news, 52-year-old Leanne Lynn Hawkins of Fairground Road, Alexandria, is charged with domestic assault. She is under a $2,500 bond and will be in court on June 22.

Sheriff Ray said that on June 9, a deputy was summoned to a home on Fairground Road due to a verbal domestic complaint. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with a man who said that he and Hawkins had gotten into an argument but that after he went outside to get away from her, she became aggressive and began throwing things out of the house toward him. The man said he was afraid that she was going to hit him.

49-year-old John Allen Judkins Jr. is charged with public intoxication and introduction of contraband into a penal institution. He is under a $9,000 bond and his court date is June 29.

Sheriff Ray said that on June 9, a deputy was called to a residence on Ferrell Road due to a reported burglary in progress. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with Judkins, who was found sitting in a chair on the back porch of the home. He was reported to be yelling and causing a disturbance. Judkins answered “no” when asked if he knew the people who lived at the residence. Judkins was then detained and placed in the back of a patrol vehicle.

During this time, Sheriff Ray said Judkins appeared to be highly intoxicated on some type of narcotics. He was reportedly unsteady on his feet, jittery, and sweating profusely.

The officer then spoke to the owners of the residence who reported that Judkins never tried to enter the home but knocked on their back door and sat in their porch chair. Judkins was then taken to the jail after which time, correctional officers spotted Judkins placing something under his bed. After entering the cell, the officers asked Judkins what he had hidden, and Judkins replied that it was a bottle. During a search of Judkins’ cell, a piece of toilet paper was found folded under his bunk mat. Inside, a small baggy was found containing a blue powdery substance.

June 13, 2023
By:

J Creek Cloggers and the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree are proud to announce their partnership for the 52nd Annual Celebration on Friday, June 30 , 2023 at 7pm. The two organizations will collaborate to bring an exciting lineup of music and dance performances to Downtown Smithville.

The Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree is a beloved annual event that highlights the best in traditional Appalachian music, dance, and crafts. This year’s festival will feature over thirty-six music and dance categories, as well as hand-made crafts and food booths .

J Creek Cloggers is a renowned clogging group that has been entertaining audiences since 2009. Founded on the ideals of education, community, and inclusiveness to bring joy to the masses through freestyle group clogging. Zeb Ross went viral in March 2022, capturing the joy of millions of people across the world with his dance moves. Today, much like the Jamboree, they are working together to preserve the art of clogging through a community of young and old that will draw the dancer out of everyone.

Kim Ross stated, “The J Creek Cloggers mission is to preserve freestyle clogging and old time/bluegrass music while spreading joy and happiness.”

“We are thrilled to partner with J Creek Cloggers for this year’s festival,” said President Kim Luton. “Their high-energy performances are sure to be a hit with our audiences.”

The partnership between J Creek Cloggers and Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree promises to be a highlight of this year’s festival. Do not miss this exciting celebration of traditional music and dance! Sponsored by Hyundai of Cookeville.

This year’s Jamboree will be held June 30th – July 1st, 2023. For more information about the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree, please visit their website at http://smithvillejamboree.com/.

For more information about J Creek Cloggers visit their website at https://www.jcreekcloggers.com/.

June 13, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Five people have applied for a newly created criminal court judge position  in the 13th judicial district which includes DeKalb and six other counties.

The Tennessee Trial Court Vacancy Commission will consider the five applicants when it meets on July 18 in Crossville to select nominees for the judgeship.

The 13th judicial district is made up of Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, and White counties. The new judicial position was created by the Tennessee General Assembly this year and is effective September 1, 2023.

The applicants are:

William Nicholas Blaylock of Sparta

Rebecca Brady of Baxter

Shawn C. Fry of Cookeville

Brandon Scott Griffin of Sparta

Benjamin Marsee of Cookeville

*Blaylock, age 43, currently serves as an administrative law judge (hearing officer) with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. He was licensed to practice law in 2004.

*Brady, age 53, is an assistant district attorney general for the 13th judicial district. She was licensed to practice law in 2007

*Fry, age 54, is an attorney at Fry, Fry, Knight & Looper, Attorneys at Law in Cookeville. Fry was licensed to practice law in 1996.

*Griffin, age 34, is in the private practice of law as owner of Griffin Law Group, PLLC in Sparta. He was licensed to practice law in 2013

*Marsee, age 40, is an assistant public defender for the 13th judicial district and works part time as an adjunct professor of law in the Business Department at Tennessee Tech University. He was licensed to practice law in 2008.

The public hearing for this position is scheduled to be held at the Stone Memorial High School located at 2800 Cook Road, Crossville, TN 38571, on July 18, 2023, at 9 a.m. CDT.

Any member of the public may attend the public hearing and can express, orally or in writing, objections concerning applicant(s) for the judicial vacancy. If you require an accommodation and/or have special needs because of a qualified disability, or have questions about the Commission, please contact John Jefferson at the Administrative Office of the Courts at John.Jefferson@tncourts.gov or 615-741-2687.

The Commission is expected to vote immediately following the interviews and forward three names to Governor Bill Lee for his consideration.

The governor shall appoint a person to serve as judge and the person so appointed shall serve in that capacity until September 1, 2024, or until the person’s successor is elected and qualified. At the August 2024 general election, the qualified voters of the thirteenth judicial district shall elect, in accordance with § 16-2-505, one (1) person to serve as judge of part III of the circuit court created by this section. The person so elected at the August 2024 election shall hold office until September 1, 2030, or until the person’s successor is elected and qualified. Thereafter, the judge of part III of the circuit court shall be elected for a full eight-year term.

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