April 6, 2021
By: Dwayne Page
Another grand Jury sealed indictment has been served.
42 year old Michael Lloyd Ballinger of Lebanon was indicted last week for auto burglary and theft of property. His bond is $75,000. He was arraigned Monday in DeKalb County Criminal Court.
Meanwhile in other recent county crime news.
31 year old Michael Joseph Lee of Estes Street Smithville is charged with violation of an order of protection. His bond is $3,500 and he will be in court April 8.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on March 29 a deputy was informed that Lee was at an address on Estes Street where he was not supposed to be due to an order of protection against him. Upon arrival the officer found Lee at this home and learned that he is on probation house arrest. He was taken into custody.
34 year old Jason Alexander Sturdivant of Page Drive is charged with auto burglary and theft of property. His bond is $5,000 and he will be in court May 13. Sheriff Ray said that on February 21 Sturdivant broke into and stole a 2002 GMC Yukon valued at $1,200.
51 year old Billy Eugene Cook , Jr. of Kendra Drive is charged with a 2nd offense of driving on a suspended license and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is under a $2,500 bond and his court date is May 6.
Sheriff Ray said that on March 31 a deputy spotted a Toyota Tundra with an inoperable tail light being driven by Cook. The officer knew that Cook’s license were suspended and had warned Cook the previous day not to be driving. The deputy pulled Cook over and placed him under arrest. During an inventory search of the vehicle the officer discovered several glass pipes along with a set of digital scales with a white crystal like residue.
46 year old Christopher Alan Scruggs of Highland Avenue is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver, simple possession of a schedule VI and III drug (marijuana and suboxone), driving while in possession of methamphetamine, and driving on a suspended license. He was further cited for making an improper turn and no insurance. His bond totals $31,000 and he will be in court May 6.
Sheriff Ray said that on April 1 a deputy while patrolling the area of Smith Road spotted a Nissan car making a wide right turn from Smith Road onto Cookeville Highway crossing over the yellow divider line separating the northbound travel lane from the dedicated turning lane. The officer pulled over the driver, Scruggs and a background check revealed that his license were suspended. When the officer asked him if he was in possession of anything illegal, Smith said he had in the back of the car a safe containing methamphetamine. A search of the safe revealed a white crystal like substance which weighed 24.5 grams, a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, and two orange pills thought to be suboxone.
34 year old Christopher Peter Mulford of Hayes Court is charged with driving under the influence. He was further cited for roadways laned for travel and no insurance His bond is $3,500 and he will be in court May 6.
Sheriff Ray said that on April 1 a deputy spotted a green Hyundai Sonata cross the yellow line of the highway several times. He pulled over the vehicle and spoke to the driver, Mulford whose speech was slurred. Mulford submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. He was then placed under arrest.
24 year old Haley Jada Sosa of Path Drive, Smithville is charged with domestic assault. Her bond is $2,500 and she will be in court May 6.
Sheriff Ray said that on April 4 a deputy was summoned to Path Drive due to a physical domestic. Upon arrival he spoke with a man who said that his wife, Sosa began arguing with him after her ex-boyfriend showed up. He said that Sosa then pulled a piercing from his left eyebrow and elbowed him on the left side of his face. Sosa was then placed under arrest.