October 11, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
A Liberty man who threatened another with a hammer and used it to damage his car has been charged with aggravated assault and vandalism over $1,000.
56 year old Joseph Messercola is under a $10,000 bond and he will be in court October 17.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on October 1 Messercola entered a residence on Pumpkin Hollow Road and tried to assault another man with a hammer. He then took the hammer and broke the windows out of his victim’s 1999 Chevy Malibu causing $1,000 damage. Messercola admitted to the crime.
A man has returned to DeKalb County to face a charge filed against him seven years ago.
61 year old Robert Morris Turner of West Broad Street is charged with violation of the sex offender law. His bond is $5,000 and he will be in court October 17.
Sheriff Ray said that on July 1, 2012 Turner failed to report to the sheriff’s department as directed on June 1, 2012. After the offense, Turner absconded and was later picked up in another county for other offenses. He was released to DeKalb County authorities on October 2.
51 year old Amanda Kay Hamilton of Jacobs Pillar Road, Smithville is charged with a second offense of driving under the influence. After being taken into custody she was caught bringing contraband into the jail. She was further cited for no insurance, violation of the implied consent law and due care. Her bond totals $12,500 and she will be in court October 17.
Sheriff Ray said that on October 3 a deputy was dispatched to a motor vehicle crash in which an automobile left the road and went into a ditch. Upon arrival he spoke to Hamilton, the driver of the automobile. She was unsteady on her feet and performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. Hamilton refused to give implied consent and a search warrant was obtained for a blood sample from her. After being brought to the jail Hamilton was asked if she had any drugs on her and she replied “no”. During the booking process a correctional officer noticed Hamilton chewing on something and asked her to spit it out. It was found to be a small round yellow pill.