Drug suspects busted in church parking lot

Two men were recently arrested on drug charges at Iconium Church on Iconium Road.

Joel C. Youngblood, of Fayetteville, and Justin K. Whittemore, of Athens, were both charged by the Cannon County Sheriff's Department with possession of a Schedule II drug (methamphetamine) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to the arrest warrants, Youngblood and Whittemore were both found inside a 2017 Ford F-150 that had reportedly been stolen in Murfreesboro.
Youngblood was allegedly found to be in possession of a black zipper bag which contained an orange baggie of a crystal substance that tested positive as methamphetamine. Youngblood also allegedly had a syringe, digital scales, straw and baggies.

When Whittemore was pulled from the truck, a black zipper was allegedly located under his seat that contained an orange baggie with a crystal substance inside that tested positive as meth. Also allegedly inside the bag were a digital scale, blue straw, battery and a clear canister with residue.

Total bond was set at $11,000 apiece for both suspects. They are scheduled to appear in Cannon County General Sessions Court on Sept. 5.

• Billy Eugene Cook Jr., of Smithville, was charged with public intoxication and disorderly conduct on Aug. 22 by the Woodbury Police Department. Cook allegedly created an "offensive condition" in the emergency department of St. Thomas-Stones River Hospital, according to the arrest warrant, and "refused to obey lawful orders of officers." The warrant states Cook was unsteady on his feet, made inconsistent statements, was in control of a small amount of marijuana, and would not perform field sobriety tasks. Bond was set at $1,500.

• Kali Yuga, of Nashville, was charged with tampering/destruction of evidence on Aug. 10 by the CCSO. Yuga allegedly took a bag containing a white substance from his mouth on July 18 while in the back of a patrol unit, open the bag and eat the contents, then stuck the bag between the seat. The alledged incident was captured on in-car video. Bond was set at $2,500. Yuga's next court appearance is Sept. 5.

• Kristen A. Gilley, of Woodbury, was charged with simple assault on Aug. 10 by the CCSO. The alleged victim had lacerations on various places on her body and blood on her face after allegedly being struck in the nose by Gilley. The alleged victim stated Gilley pushed her and then grabbed her my the hair and kneed her in the face. Bond was set at $500. Initial court date is Sept. 5.

• David Lynn Pierce, of Shelbyville, was charged with DUI on Aug. 21 by the CCSO following a traffic stop on Dug Hollow Rd. Bond was set at $3,000. Court date is Nov. 7. Sgt. Kevin Wix with the CCSO responded to an area of Dug Hollow Rd. on that date in reference to a motor vehicle accident. Upon arrival Wix was informed that the driver of the vehicle, Pierce, had been driven to another location after the wreck. Wix went to the location and made contact with Pierce. The officer detected an odor of an intoxicant coming from Pierce. Pierce stated he drank "three or maybe six" alcoholic beverages. Following a series of field sobriety tests agreed to a blood alcohol test and was transported to the Cannon County Jail for booking.

• Sheree Lee Gregg was charged with two counts of theft under $1,000 on Aug. 15 by the Woodbury Police Department. Gregg allegedly stole meat from Piggly Wiggly on two occasion, once on July 22 and the other Aug. 4. Each time the value was assessed at under $10. A release citation was issued. Initial court date is Sept. 12.

• Lauren Katherine Bain was charged with allowing an unlicensed drive to drive on Aug. 20 by the Woodbury Police Dept. Bain allegedly allowed a 14-year-old to drive, knowing the teenager did not possess a valid license to do so. Initial court date is Oct. 10.

• Jose Martinez, Woodbury, was arrested on a warrant charging him with theft over $1,000 on Aug. 18. The warrant, obtained in June of 2008, alleges Martinez purchased a washer and dryer from Prime Time Rentals on Nov. 13, 2007. It states Martinez made one payment and moved to Florida and took the washer and dryer with him and he has refused to pay the balance. A certified letter was mailed to him but returned to business.

• Coltin Beavers was arrested on a warrant obtained on Aug. 13 charging him with assault. The alleged victim states in the warrant Beavers "charged me taking me to the ground" where "10-plus other individuals ... continued to beat me."