July 11, 2022
By: Dwayne Page
A man who entered into a contract with another to build a house but didn’t follow through on the plan has been charged with theft of property over $10,000.
55-year-old Gordon Ray Rackley of Sparta Highway Smithville is under a $15,000 bond and his court date is July 28.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on September 24, 2021, Rackley signed a contract to build a home for which construction materials were paid up front. Although construction began in February 2022 it was never completed. In March 2022, the victim noticed materials missing from the job site and sent a letter by certified mail to Rackley as well as the Tennessee Consumer Protection Division. Rackley responded to the letter stating he would pay back the money but has yet to do so. The reimbursement amount sought by the victim is $10,730.
37-year-old Nicholas Aaron Gordon of Woodbury is charged with driving under the influence. His bond is $3,500 and he will make a court appearance on July 28.
Sheriff Ray said that on July 10 a deputy was dispatched to the area of Sparta Highway in response to a vehicle accident. Upon arrival the officer spoke with Gordon, who had driven off into a ditch. Gordon had a strong odor of alcohol on him. His speech was slurred, and he was unsteady on his feet. Gordon submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks.
A passenger with Gordon, 39-year-old Alisha Beth Ford of Mount Herman Road, Smithville is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver. Her bond is $15,000 and she will make a court appearance July 28.
Sheriff Ray said that on July 10 while assisting another officer with a DUI arrest involving Gordon, a deputy spoke with Ford who was in the passenger seat. After he asked her to step out of the vehicle so that a search could be conducted, he found in the passenger side floorboard where Ford’s belongings had been a baggie of a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine that weighed 1.85 grams.