Two men who’d been involved in an 18-wheeler gone awry on Saturday at Maggie T’s truck stop in Batesville appeared before Judge Jay Westfaul in Municipal Court Wednesday to answer drug charges. Both men were referred to the Panola County Grand Jury on felonies. The men were arrested after their rig ran into a concrete post at the business. Drugs were found inside the vehicle.

David Byers Jr., 80 Central Ave., Monteagle, Tenn., is charged with two counts of possession of controlled substance and DUI-other. His bond was $150,150.

John Dishroon, Hwy. 399, Palmer, Tenn., is charged with two counts of controlled substance, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and simple possession of marijuana. His bond was $320,250.

Other defendants referred to the grand jury included:

Marcus Wheatly, 25643 Hwy. 35 North, Sardis, was referred for possession of controlled substance. His bond was $5,000.

Commie Hart Jr., 3209 Nash Rd., Batesville, had two counts of controlled substance and no seat belt referred to the grand jury. His bond was $5,000.

Larry D. Ford, 285 Bonner Rd., Batesville, was referred to the grand jury for two counts of possession of controlled substance. His bond was $5,000.

Elgin Lamar, 101 Tindall Cove, Batesville, was referred to the grand jury for felony fleeing, disregard for a police officer, four counts of running a stop sign, no seat belt, driving while license suspended and reckless driving. His bond was $7,500.

Scotty Stevenson, 25527 Hwy. 35 North, Sardis, was referred to the grand jury for possession of controlled substance and speeding. His bond was $5,000.

Possession of paraphernalia
A defendant found guilty of possession of drug paraphernalia complained that he’d been the victim of a crime, having his keys and money stolen by a female companion who left his Skyline Motel room in a hurry.

Terry Griffin, 6716 Curtis Rd., Batesville, told Judge Westfaul a "naked black female" ran out of his room stealing his keys and money.

Sgt. Kerry Pittman said he received a phone call from someone at the Skyline Motel who said that a nude female knocked on his door asking for help.

"She told me she was staying in room 115," said Pittman.

The room had been rented by Terry Griffin.

The female told Pittman she did smoke "crack cocaine," so Pittman asked Griffin if he could search the room.

"She took my money and keys. She is the one who called the police," said Griffin.

"There was a crack pipe in the drawer," admitted Griffin.

"How did she steal your money if she was naked?" asked Judge Westfaul.

Griffin was found guilty and fined $304.

Disorderly conduct
A casually dressed Gregory Hamilton, 314 Walnut St., Sardis, was reprimanded by Judge Westfaul for wearing "improper attire" for his day in court. Hamilton was wearing shorts.

After Hamilton entered a "not guilty" plea to disorderly conduct-failure to comply, the judge said, "When you come back for trial, I want you to be dressed properly and no chewing gum!"

James Fletcher, 113-B Cole Dr., Batesville, was found guilty of disorderly conduct-failure to comply.

Sgt. Ruby Myers testified that she responded to a call about a disturbance between Fletcher and his wife.

"I spoke to James and his wife and they were yelling. He had a beer and I told him to set his beer down. He had been drinking a good bit," said Myers.

Myers testified that she told Fletcher to leave and he did leave, but she received a "call back" saying that he went back to the residence after Myers told him to stay away.

"Me and some guys had been playing dominos in the trailer park and she (wife) threw all of my clothes out and I wanted her to get my clothes off the ground and I went back to get my keys and she hid my keys," said Fletcher.

"You were intoxicated and disturbing the peace. This officer did you a favor. She could have charged you with much more," said the judge.

Fletcher was found guilty and fined $605.

William Langston, 116 Cole Dr., Batesville, entered a not guilty plea to disorderly conduct-failure to comply. His trial will be March 21.

Jeremy Wright, 116 Cole Dr., Batesville, entered a not guilty plea to disorderly conduct-failure to comply and his trial will also be March 21.

Failure to appear
Andri E. Shegog, 1939 Nille Rd., Memphis or 2339 Teasdale Rd., Enid, had a warrant issued for his arrest for failing to appear to answer shoplifting charges.

Michael Brassell, 131-A Milam Rd., Batesville, also had a warrant issued for his arrest for failing to appear to answer charges of simple assault by threat.

Contempt of court
Richard Rudd, 3946-C Eureka Rd., Batesville, had old fines of $451 that have been due since June 2006.

"I have been in Missouri. My biological father said he was going to pay it," said Rudd.

The judge sentenced him to 10 days in jail. As the bailiff started to arrest Rudd, his mother stood up and said, "He’s working for the county now. Can I have 30 days to pay the fine?"

The judge told Rudd’s mother he would give them 15 days to have the fine paid in full and he released Rudd from custody.

"You can un-arrest him now," said Westfaul.

Tarvell Gleaton, 744-C Green Rd., Pope, was told to have his old fines of $955 that have been due since July 2006 paid in full by March 29 or serve 20 days in jail.

He was also given 30 days to have his fine of $356 paid in full for a new charge of driving while license suspended.

Joe Lester Jr., P.O. Box 942, Batesville, was previously ordered pay his old fines of $2,269 that have been due since December 2004 or serve six months in jail.

He was sentenced to serve his six months in jail with two days credit for time he already served.

LaKeisha Rudd, 109 Williams St., Batesville, was told to have her old fines of $835 that have been due since October 2006 paid in full by March 29 or serve 28 days in jail.

Lavaria L. Sanford, 257 Sherwood Dr., Batesville, had old fines of $909 that have been due since November 2006.

"I’m saving money to pay it," said Sanford.

The judge told her she had 15 days to pay the fine in full or serve 35 days in jail.

Other
Antonio Crump, 120 Williams St., Batesville, entered a not guilty plea to resisting arrest, no proof of insurance, no driver’s license, no tag, failure to stop and speeding.

He also had old fines of $775. He previously failed to appear to answer a possession of marijuana charge in October, 2006.

As Crump approached the bench he stretched his arms and yawned.

"Do you have a problem?" the judge asked.

"Sit down! Do you have a medical problem that causes you to stretch like that?" asked Westfaul.

The judge asked Crump if he was getting an attorney and Crump answered, "yes."

All charges will be heard in court March 21.

Marvin Brownlee, 207 Vance St., Batesville, was sentenced to nine days in jail, which he had already served awaiting trial on a public drunk charge.

Eddie Brewer, 844 Harmon Rd., Batesville, entered a not guilty plea to DUI-refusal.

The judge told him to get his attorney to call and set a date for a trial.

Clarence Hudson, 5865 Hwy. 6 West, Batesville, paid his fine of $605 in full prior to court for simple possession of a controlled substance.

The district attorney’s office agreed to reduce a felony charge filed against Tracy Barksdale, 1732 Terza, Batesville. Barksdale was originally charged with possession of controlled substance with intent to sell, but the charge was reduced to misdemeanor possession of marijuana in a vehicle. Barksdale was also charged with disorderly conduct-failure to comply and failure to pay old fines of $526 that have been due since June 2006.

His total fines were $1,736 and he also has a "lock up" order for child support.

The judge sentenced him to 60 days in jail to satisfy all of his fines.

Tickets
Dionne L. Rayford, 1042 Trantham Rd., Batesville, had a lower "no proof of insurance" fine of $183 imposed after providing proof insurance was purchased after the ticket was issued.

Bobby Henry Ford, 855 Wells Ext., Courtland, had a lower "no proof of insurance" fine of $183 imposed after providing proof insurance was purchased after the ticket was issued.

Shawntaris S. Fletcher, 517-A Harmon Rd., Batesville, was fined $699 for speeding and no proof of insurance.

The lower no proof of insurance fine was imposed.
Vera M. Bobo, 280 Wolf St., Sardis, also saved $400 for a "no proof of insurance" ticket.

She showed valid proof she purchased insurance after the ticket was issued.

Jessie Buster Smith, 956 Lawrence Bros. Road, Batesville, was fined $725 for no driver’s license and no proof of insurance.

Teresa Rudd, 155 MLK Dr., Batesville, had a lower fine for a "no proof of insurance" ticket when she proved she purchased insurance after the ticket was issued.

John Patrick Smith, 313 Willa St., Batesville, was fined $1,145 for two counts of no driver’s license and no proof of insurance.

Vallene N. Owens, 324 Patton Lane, Batesville, was fined $408 for no driver’s license and speeding. Another fine was imposed for a previous ticket for improper equipment and no driver’s license.