February 24, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
A man already in trouble with the law has more problems after being caught with illegal drugs while trying to evade arrest.
38-year-old Justin Murphy of Smithville is charged with violation of an order of protection, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a schedule I drug, possession of a schedule II drug, possession of a schedule III drug (2 counts), and possession of a schedule V drug.
Smithville Police Chief Mark Collins said that police were summoned to Highland Drive on February 20 due to a man there in violation of an order of protection. While enroute central dispatch confirmed that the man, Murphy was under an active order of protection. Upon arrival officers found Murphy inside the home but he fled out the back door. As he tried to get away, Murphy pulled items from his pockets and threw them on the ground. Those items were later identified as illegal drugs and paraphernalia. Police immediately intercepted Murphy and took him in custody. His bond was set at $24,500 and he will be in court March 6.
42-year-old Hollie Michels of Lebanon is charged with violation of bond conditions (2 counts) and violation of conditional release.
Chief Collins said that on February 17 police were summoned to a disturbance complaint on Jennings Lane and upon arrival found Michels at the home. Officers confirmed through central dispatch that Michels had previously been arrested for domestic assault and had been placed under a no contact with the victim order at this residence on Jennings Lane. Michels was placed in custody and bond was set at $3,500. Her court date is March 6.
The following day, February 18, while conducting extra patrols on Jennings Lane, police spotted Michels’ vehicle in the driveway of the victim. Michels was found inside the victim’s home in violation of the no contact order and was placed in custody. Her bond for this offense is $7,500 and she is to appear in court on this charge March 6.
Later the same day, February 18, officers were summoned to a domestic complaint on North Congress Boulevard involving persons in two vehicles. Upon arrival police found Michels and the victim. According to officers, the victim reported that Michels, while on conditional release, had been following him in her vehicle almost causing a wreck. There was no physical evidence of assault, but Michels was again placed in custody. Her court date for this offense is March 6.
31-year-old Edwin Ordonez Figueroa is charged with driving under the influence and cited for violation of the light law, financial responsibility, and driving on roadways laned for traffic. Chief Collins said that on January 30 a night officer spotted a vehicle traveling in the middle of two lanes on West Broad Street with its lights off. After stopping the automobile and speaking with the driver, Figueroa the officer noticed that he showed signs of impairment. Figueroa submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. He admitted to drinking beer. Figueroa was placed in custody. His bond was set at $1,500.
19-year-old Carly Pewitt of Smithville is cited for assault. Chief Collins said that on February 3 police were summoned to Highland Drive due to a disturbance and upon arrival witnessed Pewitt strike another person. There were no injuries. Her court date is February 20.
47-year-old Tommy Jones of Fayetteville is charged with simple possession of a schedule II drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, and he was cited for violation of the light law and an expired license.
Chief Collins said that on February 4 an officer pulled over a vehicle on West Broad Street for a light law violation and spoke to the driver, Jones. The officer noticed that Jones seemed nervous. After learning that Jones had previous drug charges a K-9 unit was deployed and the dog alerted on the vehicle. A bag containing 4.3 grams of a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine, a grinder with a green leafy residue and a cut straw with residue were found in the automobile. Jones was placed in custody. His bond is $6,000 and he will be in court on February 20.
59-year-old Edward Caldwell of Smithville is cited for violation of registration, financial responsibility, and simple possession of a schedule VI drug. 47-year-old Amanda Knowles of Smithville was also cited for simple possession of a schedule VI drug. Chief Collins said that on February 4 police pulled over a vehicle on North Congress Boulevard for violation of registration. During the investigation, Caldwell was found to be in possession of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana and Knowles had a green leafy substance also thought to be marijuana. Their court date is February 20.
21-year-old Kenneth Dodd of McMinnville is charged with public intoxication. Chief Collins said that on February 6 an officer was called to South Mountain Street where a man, believed to be confused, was spotted in the middle of the road. Upon arrival the officer found the man, Dodd and spoke with him. Dodd seemed to be impaired, and he admitted that he had been drinking. Dodd was taken into custody. His bond is $5,000 and he will be in court February 20.
23-year-old Cabrera Palomec of Smithville is charged with DUI and cited for speeding, driving on roadways laned for traffic, unlicensed driver, financial responsibility, and open container. Chief Collins said that on February 10 an officer pulled over a vehicle on East Broad Street for speeding and failure to maintain its lane of travel. The officer noticed that the driver, Palomec seemed to be impaired. He admitted to drinking but refused to submit to field sobriety tasks. Several open containers of beer were found in the automobile. Palomec was placed in custody. His bond was set at $2,500 and he will be in court February 27.
49-year-old Anthony Lewis of McMinnville is charged with a second offense of driving under the influence and cited for driving on roadways laned for traffic and implied consent. Chief Collins said that on February 19 police pulled over a vehicle on Congress Boulevard for failure to maintain lane of travel and spoke with the driver, Lewis. According to the officer, Lewis appeared to be impaired. He submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. Lewis was placed in custody. His bond is $6,500 and he will be in court March 6.
42-year-old Amber Rice of Smithville is charged with DUI and implied consent. Chief Collins said that on February 19 an officer responded to Taco Bell where a woman was spotted passed out in a vehicle. Upon arrival he found the woman, Rice passed out in the drivers’ side seat with the engine running. While speaking to her the officer noticed that she seemed to be impaired. Rice submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. She admitted to having used marijuana on a regular basis. Rice was placed in custody. Her bond was set at $2,500 and she will be in court March 6.
25-year-old Samuel Castillo of Smithville is charged with DUI and cited for no driver license and financial responsibility. Chief Collins said that on February 23 officers responded to an accident on East Broad Street. Upon arrival they spoke with the driver, Castillo who appeared to be impaired. Castillo admitted to having consumed several beers. Castillo submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. He was placed in custody. Bond was set at $2,000 and he will be in court March 13.