September 30, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
Former Smithville Mayor Jimmy Poss and his son Tony have decided to take their cases of official misconduct and theft over $2,500 to trial.
Both were present in DeKalb County Criminal Court Monday morning but the attorneys addressed the court on their behalf.
Judge Wesley Bray set the trial for March 31, 2020.
Jimmy is represented by attorney Brandon Bellar of Carthage. Tony’s lawyer is Jamie Winkler of Carthage
The charges stem from a move by the former mayor to put his son on the city payroll in September 2017 at the city golf course and swimming pool without the approval of the aldermen. Tony was on the city payroll for six months.
In July, 2018 the DeKalb County Grand Jury returned a sealed indictment against former Mayor Poss for Official Misconduct and Theft of Property over $2,500. Tony Poss was also named in the sealed indictment for Theft of Property over $2,500.
In other cases Monday, Clinton Cope entered a plea to a 2nd offense of driving under the influence and received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days suspended to 45 days to serve including 17 days in jail and the rest in an alcohol treatment facility. He was also fined $600.
Dewayne Reeder entered a plea to a 2nd offense of driving on a revoked license. He received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days suspended to supervised probation.
Howard Robert Mayo, Jr. entered a plea to simple possession of methamphetamine and received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days to serve 30 days in either jail or rehab and then be on supervised probation. He was fined $750.
Jason Dyer entered a plea by information to reckless endangerment and received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days suspended to 48 hours to serve and then be on supervised probation.
Justin Smith entered a plea to possession of drug paraphernalia and received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days suspended to supervised probation. He was fined $150 and given 25 days jail credit.