The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department made several arrests over the past couple of weeks, including weapons charges and public intoxication.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on January 6, 54-year-old Jeffery Lee Bates of Bright Hill Road, Smithville was arrested for unlawful possession of a weapon. He is under a $30,000 bond and he was in court on January 18.
On January 5, a deputy made contact with Bates while investigating a theft. The deputy asked Bates if he had a firearm, which he advised he did in his jacket pocket. The deputy then retrieved the firearm from his person. Further investigation revealed that Bates has been convicted of a felony for aggravated assault.
On January 9, 47-year-old James Walter Stringer of West Main Street, Dowelltown was arrested for violation of the sex offender registry. He is under a $15,000 bond and he is due in court on January 25.
Authorities say that on December 17, 2023, Stringer was required by the sex offender registry to report to the DeKalb County Jail and failed to do so. He was able to report seven days prior or after the December date.
On January 9, 2024, Stringer was also required to appear for his annual report for the sex offender registry, but failed to show up. Another warrant was issued for his arrest. Sheriff Ray said that Stringer is in violation of the sex offender registry.
On January 10, 54-year-old Robert Roy Atnip Jr. of Allen Ferry Road, Smithville was arrested for theft of property. He is under a $20,000 bond and he will appear in court on January 25.
A deputy was dispatched to Allen Ferry Road on a report of a stolen vehicle. Upon arrival, a female advised that her brother, Atnip, asked her to take him to the liquor store. After she refused, Atnip allegedly took her car keys out of her purse and took off in a silver 2010 Toyota Camry without her permission. The car was valued at $10,000.
January 13, 53-year-old Donald Edward Taylor Jessamine Street, Knoxville, was charged with driving on a revoked license and evading arrest. He is under a $7,500 bond and he is due in court on January 25.
On July 30, 2022, Taylor allegedly attempted to evade arrest in a motor vehicle. A deputy initiated his emergency equipment to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle, when the vehicle sped up to elude the stop for about four miles before wrecking on Holmes Creek Road.
The deputy made contact with Taylor who reportedly stated that he ran because he had a revoked license. A check revealed that his license had been revoked in Tennessee, and that he had numerous convictions as a habitual offender, driving in numerous counties.
Taylor was transported and released to DeKalb EMS due to possible injuries sustained from the crash.
On January 20, at 11:57 p.m., 49-year-old Glenn Ray Jones of Hurricane Ridge Road, Smithville was arrested for public intoxication and released on January 21, at 12:26 p.m. under a $2,000 bond.
A deputy was dispatched to Big Hurricane Road on a report of an unwanted guest. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with Jones who reportedly was standing in the middle of the road and acting irate. Jones also reportedly had uncontrolled body movements, and could not stay focused on a conversation. The deputy believed Jones was under the influence of narcotics and for his safety and the safety of the public he was placed under arrest for public intoxication.
On January 21, at 10:04 p.m. Jones was arrested again for public intoxication. A deputy was dispatched to Hurricane Ridge Road on a report of a suspicious person. Jones was found at an address, lying down in a ditch. Authorities say that his speech was slurred, his eyes were glossy, and he appeared to be under the influence of a narcotic.
Once again, for his safety and the safety of the public, and for annoying the general public, Jones was placed under arrest. He was given a $3,500 bond on that charge and will be in court on February 8.
