June 12, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
Smithville Police have made arrests and confiscated a variety of illegal narcotics in separate traffic stop investigations within the last week.
In the first case, 47-year-old Linda Michelle Neville of Smith Road and 53-year-old Fredrick Michael Hughes of Barnes Mill Road were each charged with possession of methamphetamine and fentanyl with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia. Neville was also charged with simple possession of marijuana, and she was issued a citation for driving on a revoked license and no insurance.
Police Chief Mark Collins said that on Friday, June 7 while on patrol, an officer spotted a grey Nissan Sentra being driven by Neville. Knowing that Neville’s license was revoked for a previous offense of driving under the influence, the officer pulled her over and confirmed the revocation through a background computer check. After obtaining consent to search, the officer found on Hughes, the passenger, 26 grams of what was believed to be fentanyl, 10.2 grams of what was thought to be methamphetamine, several items of drug paraphernalia, and $4,788 in cash. Found on Neville were five grams of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, 1.1 grams of meth, and five grams of fentanyl along with $180 in cash. Several items of drug paraphernalia were also recovered from the vehicle including boxes of opened and unopened needles bearing the names of both Neville and Hughes. Police seized the 2019 Nissan Sentra Neville was driving at the time of the traffic stop.
Bond for Neville is $121,000 and $160,000 for Hughes. Their court date is June 20.
Meanwhile, Smithville Police made another drug haul three days later on Monday, June 10 in a separate traffic stop investigation.
23-year-old Jamaal Allen Rakeem Pleasant and 34-year-old Bianca Jean Chisam both of McMinnville were each charged in the case and will make a court appearance on June 27.
Pleasant was charged with possession of schedule II and VI drugs with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also issued a citation for improper tag lights and violation of the open container law. His bond is $34,500.
Charges against Chisam include possession of a schedule II drug with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver (2 counts), possession of schedule V & VI drugs with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bond for Chisam is $62,000.
Chief Collins said that on June 10 while patrolling, an officer pulled over a 2013 Nissan Altima driven by Pleasant and while speaking to Pleasant, the officer smelled marijuana. After being asked to step out of the vehicle, Pleasant told the officer that a bag containing a green leafy substance was in the door compartment. Chisam, the passenger, said she had a bag that contained marijuana, hydro’s, neuraptine, and meth. While searching the bag, the officer found 10 hydrocodone pills, 10 neuraptine pills, 3.3 grams of methamphetamine, 15 grams of marijuana, and several items of drug paraphernalia. Found in a cup holder were 1.9 grams of meth along with baggies and scales. Police seized a total of 37 grams of marijuana, 5.2 grams of meth, 10 hydro’s, 10 gabapentin, and $138 in cash. The 2013 Nissan Altima driven by Pleasant at the time of the traffic stop was also seized.
27-year-old Bobby Ray Murphy of Dale Ridge Road, Dowelltown was issued a citation on June 6 for theft of property. Chief Collins said that Murphy was observed on video surveillance taking an unattended purse from a table in Greenbrook Park and then stealing several items from it totaling $670 in value. Murphy’s court date is July 18.
59-year-old John Dilberti of Murfreesboro is charged with driving under the influence and possession of a handgun while under the influence.
According to Chief Collins, on June 8 an officer pulled over a vehicle driven by Dilberti on East Broad Street due to a light law violation. While speaking to him, the officer noticed that Dilberti’s speech was slurred, and he smelled of alcohol. He also seemed to be in a state of confusion. Dilberti said he had consumed several alcoholic beverages prior to the traffic stop. He submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. During the investigation, the officer recovered a fully loaded pistol from the driver’s side front door. Dilberti’s bond was set at $4,000 and his court date is July 11.
62-year-old Barry Mitchell of Smithville is charged with disorderly conduct and assault.
Chief Collins said that on June 10 police were dispatched to Rama Inn on East Broad Street due to a complaint of an unwanted person there. Upon arrival, officers spoke with staff who reported that Mitchell had approached and then began yelling and cussing at a female motel employee. Mitchell also allegedly threatened to assault her sexually. The woman left immediately and called 911. Officers found Mitchell to be acting in a very erratic and threatening manner toward them and motel staff. He was taken into custody. Mitchell’s bond is set at $8,000 and his court date is June 27.