Many times, a routine traffic stop by local law enforcement leads to the discovery of illegal narcotics. Such was the case in the recent arrest of
On November 14, 31-year-old Alex Wayne Murphy of Ferrell Road, Smithville, was arrested for possession of a firearm during a felony, possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver, possession of a schedule V drug, simple possession of a schedule III drug, and driving on a revoked license. He is under a $47,500 bond and will be in court December 5.
According to Sheriff Patrick Ray a deputy was patrolling when he noticed a silver Chevrolet HHR cross the center line on Hayes Street, with a tag displayed on the vehicle was for a different automobile.
After a traffic stop, consent was given to search the vehicle. A vape was located that had been hollowed out. Inside it was a glass container with a clear crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine with a container weight of 1.66 grams. A black tube containing four pieces of an orange-colored pill thought to be Buprenorphine was also found.
Also located in the backseat was a High Point model CF .380 auto pistol, as well as a yellow pill believed to be Gabapentin. Deputies also discovered Murphy’s driver license had been revoked due to a DUI in August 2024.
On November 16, 24-year-old Robert Stephen Ryan Derrick of Cookeville was arrested under a grand jury sealed indictment for four counts of methamphetamine possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver. The offense dates were September 11 and September 19, 2023. He is under a $400,000 bond.
On November 17, 39-year-old Joshua Joe King of Allen Ferry Road was arrested on two counts of domestic assault. He is under a $7,000 bond and is due in court on December 5.
Sheriff Ray said that King allegedly assaulted his wife and daughter by placing them in fear of being harmed. The victims stated that King became irate during an argument and began throwing items in the home, and kick the coffee table toward his wife as she sat on the couch with her nephew. The victims also claimed that during the argument King grabbed a shotgun from the bedroom and walked out the door and said, “let’s go to the barn.”
That same day, 61-year-old James L. Bullard of King Ridge Road, Dowelltown, was arrested for possession of meth with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is under a $51,500 bond, and will be in court December 5.
Sheriff Ray said that a deputy responded to a trespassing call on Midway Road, Smithville. Upon speaking with Bullard, the alleged trespasser, the deputy observed in plain sight a pill container with Bullard’s name in the grass next to him. The officer picked up the container off the ground and observed a plastic baggie which held a crystal-like substance believed to be meth inside of the container. The baggie weighed two grams.
A search also produced from his pants pocket a bowl and a clear glass pipe containing residue.
