Man gets five-year sentence in aggravated assault case
by: Dwayne PageApr 14, 2025
A man charged with attacking his former foster parent and that man’s daughter appeared for sentencing last Monday, April 7 in DeKalb County Criminal Court.
24-year-old Garrett Nicolas Vallem entered a plea to one charge of aggravated assault and received a five-year sentence to serve at 30% before his release eligibility date. The sentence is to run concurrently with a Knox County case. Vallem was given jail credit for a total of 619 days served. He was originally charged with two counts of aggravated assault but one of them was dismissed upon his plea.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on June 1, 2023 a deputy was summoned to a residence on Old Bildad Road due to a 911 wrong number call. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with a man and his daughter who reported that Vallem showed up intoxicated at their home and began arguing. They said Vallem then stood up and hit his former foster parent several times on the arms, ribs and face, before putting his hands around the man’s neck rendering him almost unconscious. As the daughter intervened trying to break up the fight, Vallem allegedly hit and grabbed the woman by the throat, rendering her almost unconscious. The officer reported that the former foster parent had red marks on his neck and the side of his head, as well as a cut on his elbow and head, while the woman also showed red marks around her neck.
Meanwhile.33-year-old Hope Leigh Hicks entered a plea to possession of methamphetamine over 0.5 grams and received an eight-year sentence all suspended to supervised probation. She was fined $2,000.
Smithville Police Chief Mark Collins said that on July 31, 2024 police were summoned to South College Street where a woman was reported to be slumped over the wheel of a vehicle with the motor running. Upon arrival the officer awoke the woman, Hicks and got her out of the vehicle. She was unsteady on her feet. Hicks’ speech was slurred, and her eyes were red and watery. She consented to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. A small bag of a crystal-like substance was found in the vehicle along with a loaded nine-millimeter handgun. Police learned that Hicks was under bond conditions from an aggravated assault case preventing her from having possession of a firearm. She was placed in custody and a blood sample was taken from her.
49-year-old Robert Dwayne Moore entered a plea to possession with intent to deliver less than 0.5 grams of a schedule II drug and received a four-year sentence all suspended to TDOC probation. He was fined $2,000.
Chief Collins said that on May 16, 2024 an officer while on patrol stopped a vehicle on Earl Avenue. While speaking with the driver, Moore the officer noticed signs of impairment and a strong odor of marijuana. During a subsequent probable cause search, the officer found four bags of a crystal-like substance that weighed 6.09 grams, one bag containing 14 yellow pills, two bags of crushed pills, and a bag containing a green leafy substance along with scales and a grinder with white residue.
52-year-old Melisha Renea Martin entered a plea to possession with intent to deliver a schedule II drug. She received a four-year sentence all suspended to TDOC probation. Martin was fined $2,000.
Martin was charged with three others on February 28, 2022 by the DeKalb and Warren County Sheriff’s Departments while executing a search warrant at 745 Adcock Cemetery Road. At the time Martin was charged with possession of Methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver; Possession of a Schedule II drug (Methadone); Possession of a Schedule I drug (Heroin); Possession of a Schedule IV (Xanax); Possession of a Schedule II drug (Oxycodone); and Possession of a Schedule VI drug (Marijuana) with intent to sell or deliver. Inside her bedroom were heroin, Xanax pills, Oxycodone, methadone pills, methamphetamine, marijuana, and a large amount of baggies, scales, pipes and other paraphernalia. Inside a car registered to Martin were additional marijuana and meth.
45-year-old Hani Mohamad (BJ) Shirhan Ittayem entered a plea to possession with intent to sell less than 0.5 grams of a controlled substance. He received a six-year sentence all suspended to TDOC probation and was fined $2,000.
Sheriff Ray said that on February 19, 2023 a detective tried to confront Ittayem but he fled into the woods on foot after abandoning the motorcycle he had been operating. The detective conducted a visual inspection of the motorcycle and found on it a green scale with residue. A further search of the motorcycle yielded a bag which held a clear crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine that weighed 19.78 grams, and a white powdery substance thought to be cocaine which weighed 3.69 grams.
A Murfreesboro man who set fire in the front yard of a Dowelltown residence threatening a woman and her four-year-old son inside before breaking into their home entered a plea to aggravated burglary.
22-year-old Ricoryon Lamontez Henderson received a four-year sentence all suspended to supervised probation. The term is to run consecutive to a Rutherford County case against him. He was given jail credit of 49 days
Sheriff Ray said that on April 24, 2024 Henderson allegedly broke into the Corley Street residence through a bedroom window after setting fire to property outside causing the woman there and her four-year-old son to fear imminent bodily injury. Once inside, Henderson allegedly stole a green and brown Michael Kors purse valued at $250.
Before breaking into the home, Sheriff Ray said Henderson allegedly set fire outside to a flowerpot and table valued at $90, a bicycle valued at $40, and a portion of the front yard. He then took a picture of the fire and sent it to the woman. Sheriff Ray said gasoline believed to have been used as an accelerant was found on the scene and a lighter was recovered from Henderson.
35-year-old Jeremy Trent Sanders entered a plea to reckless endangerment and received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days all suspended to CPS probation.
Sheriff Ray said that on March 2, 2024 a deputy was at the Midnight Express on Sparta Highway on a call and during that investigation, Sanders walked up to the officer acting belligerently and he smelled of alcohol. At first Sanders complied with the officer’s request to leave but he later returned still acting belligerently. Sanders again was asked to leave and complied. Later Sanders returned again in a gray Nissan Altima. Sanders, who appeared to be intoxicated, was removed from the vehicle and placed under arrest after refusing to submit to field sobriety tasks and implied consent.
26-year-old Elijah Malik Walton entered a plea to aggravated assault and received a three-year sentence all suspended to TDOC probation.
According to Chief Mark Collins, Smithville Police were summoned to Bizee Mart in September 2023 in reference to a shooting that had occurred. Officers spoke with the victim who reported that Walton had shot at her. During the investigation it was discovered that Walton and the victim had gotten into an argument in Murfreesboro and she left. Later, Walton located the victim getting gas at Bizee Mart and an altercation occurred with him striking her in the face. Once she got into her vehicle and started to drive away, Walton pulled a gun and shot at her, placing the people at the convenience store in harm’s way also. Warrants were taken for Walton and he was taken into custody later.
46-year-old Jason Richard Skaroupka entered a plea to sale of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) over 0.5 grams (2 counts) and received an eight-year sentence on TDOC supervised probation. He was fined $2,000 and given jail credit of 199 days.
The warrants against Skaroupka allege that “On August 15 and September 19, 2024 he sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant working with the Smithville Police Department in an undercover capacity. While conducting a search warrant on the home of Skaroupka on September 19, miscellaneous drug paraphernalia were found in his bedroom which included waterbongs, used syringes and many small plastic baggies, and a weed grinder. A handgun was also found in his bedroom”.
51-year-old John Allen Judkins Jr. entered a plea to driving under the influence and received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days all suspended to supervised probation except for 48 hours to serve. He was fined $350 and will lose his driver license for one year. Judkins must also undergo an alcohol and drug assessment.
Smithville Police responded to a call of two people in a truck yelling on April 26, 2023. The vehicle was in the middle of the road. Upon arrival, the officer found two individuals passed out in a Ford Ranger in the middle of the intersection. The driver, Judkins was passed out with his foot on the gas pedal and brake with the truck in gear. The officer put the truck in park and woke both parties, at which time, Judkins tensed up and put the gas pedal to the floor revving the motor to a high rpm. Judkins’ speech was slurred, and he was sweating in 55-degree temperature. When asked to exit the vehicle, Judkins complied but he was unsteady on his feet. He told the officer that he couldn’t perform field sobriety tasks, but he did consent to a blood draw.
40-year-old Frank Andy Checchi entered a plea to possession of a schedule II drug under 0.5 grams with intent to deliver (2 counts) and received a four-year sentence in each case to run consecutively for a total of eight years, but all suspended to TDOC probation pursuant to judicial diversion. He was fined $2,000. All other charges against him were nollied.
According to Police Chief Collins, both Checchi and his girlfriend, 37-year-old Randi Renee Dossett of 549 Cooper Street were each charged in February 2024 with child abuse or neglect, possession of schedule II drugs (Ritalin, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Fentanyl, Methamphetamine), possession of a schedule III drug (Suboxone), possession of a schedule IV drug (Xanax), possession of a schedule VI drug (Marijuana), and possession of drug paraphernalia.
“During the search several miscellaneous drug paraphernalia objects were found in the home including meth and marijuana pipes, scales, needles, burnt tin foil, cut straws, residue, and grinders along with 1 hydrocodone, 41 Adderall, 7 oxycodone, 2.5 grams of meth, 5 grams of fentanyl, 11 suboxone, 5.5 Xanax, and 10 grams of marijuana. Drugs were also found in the common areas easily accessible to the children and living conditions were found to be squalid,” said Chief Collins.
Two of a kind! (View Video Here)
by: Dwayne PageApr 14, 2025
Two of a kind!
Thanks to the DeKalb Animal Shelter you can double your pleasure and fun by adopting “Johnny” and “Walker”. The WJLE/DeKalb Animal Shelter featured “Pets of the Week”
Johnny and Walker are a bonded pair of domestic shorthaired cats from the same litter. They are eight years old and have been fixed and vaccinated. They are ready to go home with you for one great deal. Adopt one at full price and adopt the other for half price. The cost for both is $180. Johnny and Walker should be adopted together.
If you are interested in meeting Johnny and Walker, fill out an application on the animal shelter website or come in. Visit https://www.dekalbanimalsheltertn.com/ or call 615-597-3647.
The shelter is open Mondays-Fridays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Transfer Station Road off Highway 70 east behind Tenneco.
Sheriff and Election Administrator Meet with County Budget Committee to Make Requests for 2025-26
by: Dwayne PageApr 13, 2025
The Budget Committee of the County Commission held its first meeting of the year last Tuesday night to begin preparations for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
County Mayor Matt Adcock and the committee reviewed projected revenues and expenditures for the new year compared to the current fiscal year. Sheriff Patrick Ray and Administrator of Elections Dustin Estes attended as scheduled to make budget requests for their operations.
The DeKalb County Election Office currently has one full time deputy administrator. Estes said the office needs a second full time employee and he cited statistics to back up his request.
“I am requesting to add one deputy to my staff. I operate with a staff of one,” he said. “Some statistics to back up the need for the extra support, from 2017 to 2025 we have seen a 21% growth in our voter rolls,” explained Estes. “In the last four years DeKalb County has increased 8% in its total residents and our voter rolls have increased 11%. Looking at similar counties to DeKalb County, Smith County has two deputies. I think they have operated with two deputies for some time. Adding a second deputy would potentially alleviate any comp time and it would also support our office in vacation and sick time. We have been fortunate so far but with a staff of one I feel like we run the risk during election time. Heaven forbid but if something were to happen to myself or that one person during an election, we would really have liability with such an important task,” explained Estes.
With a second employee, the budgetary line item for salary and wages would increase from $42,889 (budgeted for 2024-25) to $80,935 (2025-26) and that proposed increase would also impact line items for social security, pensions, unemployment, and employer Medicare.
With fewer elections in the 2025-26 budget year, Estes said the expense for election commission workers would be reduced by $20,000.
“This is due to the fact that we are coming out of a year with two elections into a year with one election. Also, the required notices we have to publish in the newspaper would be reduced by $1,250 because we will only have one election instead of two,” Estes explained.
However, fees for other contracted services would increase by $3,000.
“Our voting machine vendor has increased their contracted yearly maintenance fee from $12,000 to $15,000. They have not given an increase in many years and this increase will be locked in for the next four years,” said Estes.
According to Estes, the election commission has more than operated within its budget this year and he is hoping to “give back” to the county up to $30,000 by the end of the budget year.
In January, the county commission voted to relocate the election commission headquarters from the first floor of the courthouse to the unused office space at the county complex. A budget amendment in the amount of $110,000 was also adopted. The money will be appropriated from the fund balance of the capital projects fund. The project was recently advertised for bids but none have been received as yet.
Meanwhile, County Mayor Adcock said during the budget committee meeting Tuesday night that the three judicial commissioners are requesting an increase in pay. The 2024-25 budget has a total of $44,700 for their salaries which comes to $14,900 for each of the three of them. He said they want their pay to go to $20,000 each.
Last fall, the county created a new courthouse security guard position. His pay (2025-26) as a full-time employee would be $37,440 or $49,039 with benefits included (social security, retirement, health insurance, unemployment, and Medicare)
A part time courthouse security guard position, also created last fall but yet to be filled, is budgeted in the 2025-26 fiscal year.
State required 3% pay raises to county officials are to be budgeted in 2025-26 as well as expected local increases due employees based on the county’s current wage scale formulas.
Meanwhile in his budget requests, Sheriff Ray explained that he is adding two deputy positions and an additional secretary to his operation in 2025-26 but has taken steps to minimize budgetary impact.
The following is the sheriff’s written proposal to the budget committee:
Budget Request:
“We are adding 2 deputies to the sheriff’s department and the 3% salary increases plus tier jumps. I have made deductions from the sheriff’s budget to try to offset expenses for the extra 2 deputy positions. We have also lost high tier deputies and detectives, so our salaries line item is less this year than last year. With the deductions from Sheriff’s Department budget line items and the pay decreases, I feel the impact of the extra 2 deputies along with the 3% increase in pay with the employee tier jumps will have a minimal impact to the budget,” said Sheriff Ray.
“We have two deputies on a swing shift now. By adding 2 more deputies, this will give us four deputies on a shift. The extra deputy on day and night shift will help with transports for the out of county inmates being housed in another jail, inmates who are transported to the State Penitentiary, doctors’ visits, transporting mental ill patients to mental hospitals, among other transports. Our current jail cannot hold serious offenders, female inmates or sex offenders. We have multiple transports almost every day. We also have multiple male and female inmates in the same jail who have court. This may take two trips for two inmates in that county. For an example, when we have a male and a female being housed in Bedford County, it takes 2 transport officers in separate vehicles because they cannot be transported together. This also happens when the same sex inmates have a dispute with another inmate and can’t be transported together. The way it is now, if we have a deputy off for medical or vacation time, we cannot do transports on a shift. We have to call in deputies for the transports resulting in overtime pay,” said Sheriff Ray.
Adding 1 secretary:
“This secretary will be responsible for finding where an inmate is to be housed (may have to call as many as 15 jails) and set up transport for inmate with a deputy,” explained Sheriff Ray. “Once a Jail is found for the inmate to be housed in, the secretary will be responsible for creating a “packet” to go with the inmate. That packet consists of booking information and medical information”.
“The secretary will be responsible to track each inmate who is housed outside of our county. This consists of attorney appointments, recovery court appointments, doctor’s appointments and court dates”.
“If the inmate has to go outside of the housing facility to the emergency room in that county, the secretary will arrange for a correctional officer to drive to the hospital in that county and sit with the inmate. If the inmate is in the hospital longer than the correctional officer’s shift, the secretary will then arrange for another correctional officer to relieve the one that is there. If the inmate causes trouble at the facility, that Jail may make us come and pick up the inmate and the secretary will arrange re-housing somewhere else. When the inmate has a doctor’s appointment, makes bond or has a court date, the secretary will then arrange for transportation back to our jail,” said Sheriff Ray.
“The secretary will be responsible for keeping up with outstanding medical bills and working with our healthcare company to get reductions on the bills and sending the bills to the County Mayor’s Office for payment. The secretary will also be responsible for collecting our inmate housing bills from other counties”.
“I have made deductions from the Jail’s Budget to try to offset expenses with the extra secretary position. We have also lost high tier correctional officers, so our salaries line item is less this year. One of the major cuts, is with the jail’s inmate food line item. The food item line cut is where our contract for feeding 85 inmates and over has gone down to 52 inmates because of the TCI bed count cut. That food cut alone was $103,000,” said Sheriff Ray.
Litter Funding:
“I asked for a continued contract for county litter pick up on DeKalb County roads,” Sheriff Ray continued.
“I currently have a five day a week litter pick up for DeKalb County roads. I also have a State Road contract for picking up litter on State Roads in DeKalb County 4 to 5 times throughout the year. This contact provides the Sheriff’s Department with an extra correctional officer while they are not picking up trash. I also take what money is left from the contract after the pay for the officer and pay for other things. One year we used this money to purchase a new litter truck. Last year and hopefully this year, the left-over money will be spent on our new shooting range we are building. We have been able to secure numerous grants and the left-over money from the State Litter Contract to pay for everything we have spent on the new range thus far,” he said.
The budget committee has not yet acted on requests made by Sheriff Ray or Election Administrator Estes.
The next meeting of the county budget committee will be Tuesday, April 15 at 6 p.m. in the lower courtroom of the courthouse.