DeKalb County Sheriff’s deputies made several arrests over the past week, including several assaults, drug charges, and violation of the sex offender registry.

Sheriff Patrick Ray told the Smithville Review that on April 17, 25-year-old Dakoda Lane Vance of Cookeville Highway, Smithville, was charged with aggravated assault. He is under a $10,000 bond and his court date is set for May 2.

A deputy responded to a domestic assault call, and upon arrival the deputy spoke to a female who advised that she and her boyfriend, Vance, got into a verbal argument when he allegedly pushed her to the ground, punched her in the face, and bit her on her side. She also reported that he began choking her. The woman reportedly did have multiple bruises and red marks.

That same day, 45-year-old James Ricky Ashford, Jr., of Eckles Heights, Liberty, was charged with violation of the sex offender registry. He is under a $15,000 bond and his court date is set for April 15.

Sheriff Ray said that Ashford was released from the DeKalb County Jail on April 12, and as of April 17 he failed to report to the DeKalb County Jail in a timely manner following his release.

Also on April 17, 37-year-old Jonathan Lee Pedigo of Short Mountain Highway, Smithville, was arrested for unlawful possession of a weapon and violation of bond conditions. He is under a $23,500 bond, and is due in court on May 2.

A deputy responded to Short Mountain Highway to assist the Department of Children’s Services with a home visit. The deputy made contact with the homeowner, Pedigo, who gave verbal consent for deputies to look around his residence.

A search revealed a Stevens Model 320 20-guage shotgun in the bedroom corner. Pedigo admitted to deputies to being a felon due to a federal offense on July 10, 2015 for alien smuggling. The felony was also confirmed through Central Dispatch. 

Pedigo also allegedly admitted to being in contact with his son, who is a protected person through bond conditions.

On April 18, 29-year-old Nathan Wayne Stout of Dave England Road, Sparta, was charged with aggravated assault. He is under a $7,500 bond.

According to DeKalb County Sheriff Patrick Ray, around 3:54 pm, a DeKalb correctional officer heard banging coming from the Jail Annex door. Two officers went to the door and found an inmate with several face wounds.

The inmate was carried to the nurse and told officers that he had been assaulted. A review of security footage revealed Stout as the aggressor, using a closed fist and elbows in the attack.

That same day, 55-year-old Alphonso Dewayne Maynard Sr., of Westview Avenue, Smithville, was charged with simple possession of a schedule III drug, and driving on a revoked license second offense.

He is under a $10,000 bond and his court date is set for May 2.

A deputy was patrolling Midway Road in Smithville when he spotted a green Dodge Dakota. Knowing the driver, Maynard, had a revoked license due to him receiving a ticket just eight minutes prior, the deputy conducted a traffic stop. After running the tag through dispatch, the tag came back as not on file.

Maynard, he gave the deputy consent to search. The search revealed a clear container with one and a half peach-colored pills, believed to be Buprenorphine was found inside. Maynard allegedly admitted the pills were his and that they were suboxone.

On April 19, 39-year-old Raymond Austin Simpson of Happy Valley Drive, Dowelltown, was charged with public intoxication and resisting arrest. He has a $5,000 bond and he is due in court on May 9.

A deputy was dispatched to Church Street in Dowelltown on a report of a suspicious person. After speaking with the homeowner, and clearing the scene, the deputy made contact with Simpson on Church Street. The man reportedly appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. Authorities say that man also had a strong odor of alcohol coming from his person and had slurred speech.

Authorities say that Simpson attempted to retreat into his home during the investigation and refused to come out. Due to him being a danger to himself and others in the vicinity, he was placed under arrest.