The DeKalb Sheriff’s Department made many arrests last week, including another arrest in connection with a brutal beating inside the DeKalb County Jail.
According to Sheriff Patrick Ray, 45-year-old Ricky Allen Ashford II was charged with aggravated assault in connection with assault at the DeKalb County Jail reported last week. He is under a $15,000 bond and was in court on November 4.
Sheriff’s officials allege that on October 20, 2023, Ashford knowingly and intentionally caused serious bodily injury to a male inmate at the DeKalb County Jail by striking the inmate multiple times with a closed fist.
Both were incarcerated in the jail at the time of that assault, and the fight was observed by a camera, while officers responded to the annex cell to stop the incident. According to the video footage, Ashford was observed striking the inmate after he had already fallen, and continued to hit the man causing broken bones, abrasions, and swelling on his face.
Ashford joins 24-year-old Gabriel James Hesson of Oak Drive, Smithville, and 22-year-old Christopher Edward Spoon Jr. of Sparta Highway, Smithville, who were also charged in the case.
On October 26, Justin Kieth Liggett of Parkway Drive, Smithville, was arrested for violation of an order of protection. He is under a $3,500 bond and he is set to appear in court on November 9.
On October 25, Liggett contacted a protected individual by a Facebook message. He also allegedly had his son deliver a message from him to the protected person.
On October 30, 19-year-old Preston Robert Moore of Cookeville Highway, Smithville, was arrested for resist stop, halt, frisk, search or arrest, and domestic assault.
A deputy was dispatched to Cookeville Highway on a report of a domestic. Upon arrival, the deputy found Moore’s father holding the teen down. When the deputy tried to put hand restraints on him, he pulled away and would not comply with commands.
Authorities also made contact with Moore’s grandmother, who stated that Moore was irate and acting strange. He allegedly grabbed her right arm and scratched it, leaving bruises, and putting the woman in fear of bodily harm.
Moore is under a $7,000 total bond, and he is due in court on November 16.
On November 1, 49-year-old Matthew David Fayette of Yulanda Hills Road, Smithville, and 50-year-old William Oscar Meadows of Big Rock Road, Smithville, were arrested after their truck was pulled over by a deputy.
A deputy was patrolling Evins Mill Road when he noticed a gold Ford F-150, pulling a trailer, cross over the centerline of the road. The deputy had prior knowledge that the owner of the truck had an active warrant for his arrest. According to authorities, when the deputy initiated his blue lights, several objects were thrown out of the passenger side window.
The deputy spoke to the passenger, Fayette, and the driver, Meadows, who both claimed the items were not theirs. Authorities recovered the items, which were two pipes with residue and a clear baggy with residue.
Fayette and Meadows were each charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and fabricating or tampering with evidence. They are under a $16,500 total bond and are due in court on November 16. Meadows is also being held without bond for a warrant for violation of probation
That same day, 30-year-old Briana Xavier Bethune of Algonquin Trail, Antioch, was arrested for DUI and driving on a revoked license. She is under a $5,000 bond and set to appear in court on November 23.
A deputy was patrolling Sparta Highway when he noticed a red Nissan leaving its lane of travel multiple times. After conducting a traffic stop the deputy made contact with Bethune, who allegedly had a strong odor of alcohol coming from her person. Her eyes were reported as glassy and she was unsteady on her feet. The woman allegedly admitted to drinking one shot earlier in the night, and submitted to field sobriety tasks, but performed poorly.
After checking with Central Dispatch, it was learned that Bethune had a revoked license due to unsatisfied fines or cost.
Also that day, 23-year-old Mercedes Leighann Hegwood of Talley Road, Smithville, was charged with two counts of theft of property, and aggravated burglary. She is under a $13,000 bond.
A deputy was dispatched to Talley Road in reference to a break-in. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with a male who advised that around 3:26 p.m., Hegwood was seen on camera breaking into his house through his bedroom window, stealing $20 before leaving.
On October 9, Hegwood also allegedly took a plastic Tupperware container and approximately $60 of rolled coins, from the same victim.
On November 5, 23-year-old Elijah Ryan Hauk of Marks Lane, Smithville, was arrested for DUI and possession of a handgun while under the influence. He is under a $7,000 bond and he is due in court on November 30.
A deputy conducted a traffic stop on a gray Honda Civic for failing to maintain its lane of travel. Upon making contact with the driver, Hauk, alcohol could reportedly be smelled coming from his person. His eyes were allegedly glossy and he was unsteady on his feet.
Hauk agreed to take field sobriety tasks, which authorities say he performed poorly. He was also in possession of a 9 mm handgun located in the passenger seat with a bullet in the chamber.
