Domestic Dispute leads WSCO Detectives to Large Marijuana-growing Operation

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What began as a call regarding a domestic dispute at 570 Cooks Road in Mt Juliet Wednesday led Wilson County Sheriff’s Detectives to a large growing operation of “high end” marijuana, 141 marijuana plants weapons and a large amount of cash.

Deputies responded to the home for a domestic assault report early Wednesday and arrested John Clark Woods for Aggravated Assault with a $2,000 bond. During the assault investigation, deputies located a large amount of marijuana inside the home. Narcotic detectives obtained a search warrant for the property and discovered 141 marijuana plants growing inside the garage, two hand guns, a shotgun, and several pounds of marijuana. Detectives estimated the street value of the marijuana to be over $400,000. They also seized almost $2,000 from the suspect that detectives believed was from the sale of marijuana.

Pending a grand jury investigation, one adult is expected to be charged in the case. Potential charges include Possession with Intent for Resale of Schedule VI (marijuana), Manufacture of Schedule VI (Marijuana), Possession of Firearms during the Commission of a Dangerous Felony and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

“This was great work by our detectives and the alert patrol officers who noticed the illegal substances during their investigation,” said Sheriff Robert Bryan. “Drug activity generally goes hand-in-hand with violence. We applaud them for their hard work toward stopping at least one drug operation location and getting these potentially dangerous items off the streets.”

Wilson County Sheriff’s Deputies and Lebanon Police Officers arrested a convicted felon for numerous charges in South Carthage in Smith County today. Assisted by South Carthage authorities, the wanted man was arrested without incident.

The 33-year-old Danvechio Cocheese Patton, of Lebanon, had outstanding warrants for charges of trespassing, leaving the scene, driving on a suspended license, possession of a weapon and drug possession charges in Lebanon.

Westmoreland Police stopped Patton for speeding in Westmoreland Saturday but he fled on foot from the scene. Wilson County and Lebanon Police located Patton at a residence at Cedar Street in Smith County. Patton, who has a lengthy history of various crimes dating back to 2001 in Lebanon and Wilson County, had been spotted twice in recent days. His last known address was1898 Africa Road in Lebanon.

“This was a team effort,” Sheriff Robert Bryan said. “We appreciate the cooperation with our fellow law enforcement agencies in Lebanon and Smith County who helped locate this man. This was excellent police work, a job well done.”

WCSO Hosting Drug Take Back Day Saturday, April 30, at Sheriff’s Office

The Wilson County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting a Drug Take Back Initiative Saturday, April 30, for anyone wanting to dispose of unwanted and/or expired prescription and non-prescription drugs. No questions will be asked. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at drop-off location at the Criminal Justice Center located next to the WCSO Office at 105 East High Street in Lebanon.

“It’s important to properly dispose of any prescription drugs you are not longer taking or are expired,” Sheriff Robert Bryan said. “The medicine cabinet is often the first place young people look to begin experimenting with drugs. Unfortunately, far too many of us know the pain associated with a loved one’s drug addiction, overdoses and even deaths associated with prescription as well as non-prescription drugs.”

Sheriff Bryan encouraged people to begin now searching medication cabinets for any medicines they are no longer taking or are expired in preparation for the Drug Take Back Day. “It’s important to keep track of what kind of medications you have and how many tablets, pills, etc. you have used,” the sheriff said. “Just as you keep other potentially dangerous household products out of reach of children, you may even consider keeping your medications in a locked cabinet. This is especially true if you have young people in the house who you may have never even suspect might try a medication you’re taking.”

Medications you use for legitimate reasons are often subject to theft, and can lead to addiction and ultimately even drug trafficking. Sheriff Bryan noted that there is a national epidemic of prescription drug abuse that is often the motive in numerous crimes. “We encourage people to take advantage of the Drug Take Back Day Initiative to help make Wilson County a safer place to live, work and visit.We appreciate cooperative efforts such as this one to enable the public to regularly, safely, and conveniently dispose of such medicines when they are no longer needed or wanted.”

****ALERT*****Wilson, Sumner Counties Searching for Danveckehio Cochese Patton for numerous warrants including weapon and drug charges. If sighted, please call police. He was last known to be living in Lebanon on Africa Road. He has been spotted twice within the past week. 

Meet Wilson County Sheriff’s Office’s newest graduates of the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy. More than 80 members from across the state graduated from the TLETA at Donelson on April 1. Basic Police School Class 1787’s graduation marks the conclusion of the 10-week Basic Police School course which provides technical and tactical expertise as well as the ethical and professional standards of law enforcement necessary for success. The course began Jan. 10. Pictured here (l-r) are: Brandon Cannon, James Butler, Jason Denson (front row) James D. Smith, Sheriff Robert Bryan and Travis Donnell (second row) with Deputy Chief Mike Owen and Patrol Major Lance Howell.

WCSO Now Accepting Applications for New Class, First Session is 9 a.m. April 9

Young people between ages 14 to 20 are invited to apply for the upcoming Wilson County Sheriff’s Officer Post #328 Explorers Academy.

WCSO is currently recruiting for young people interested in applying to join the new Post #328 Explorers Academy, which will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 9, at the Sheriff’s Office Training Room. Applications may be obtained at the Sheriff’s Office located at 105 East High Street in Lebanon. Anyone interested in participating can come to the class but must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The registration is $25. A complete list of classes and dates is available upon request.

So far, an estimated 10 students from Wilson County Schools have signed up for the program. It includes more than 60 hours of training in criminal law, officer safety and survival, arrest and search procedures, emergency management, crime prevention, CPR, report writing, crime scene investigation, riding with sworn officers and a host of other skills.

“Whether you are interested in a career in law enforcement or just exploring possibilities for a future career path, we welcome you to apply,” Wilson County Sheriff Robert Bryan said. “The program is designed to help young men and women with opportunities in citizenship service, fitness and social responsibility.”

The Explorers is a division of Boys Scouts of America and is open to Wilson County students who have completed the eighth grade as long as they meet the requirements, have parental approval and must maintain at least a “C” average in school.

“This program is designed to teach self-discipline, respect and integrity,” said Officer Keyes. “Our advisors will help the students learn to perform just as our officers do on a daily basis with expectations that they will become role model for others whether they are in class or participating in everyday activities just as we do. I think you will find most of our recent graduates can tell you how proud they were to have completed the last academy activities and how important teamwork is being becoming successful.”

To apply, you can contact the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office at 615-444-1412 and ask to be connected to Christopher Keyes or Emy Bates or any Explorers’ Advisor.

Suspect Arrested for Aggravated Robbery Following Bank Robbery Friday

 Wilson County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI have captured a man they believe robbed the Wilson Bank and Trust in Gladeville late Friday afternoon.

The suspect identified as Matthew W. Jones, 37, is being held at the Wilson County Jail on a charge of aggravated robbery. WCSO alerted the FBI and Tennessee Highway Patrol after reports of a man coming into the bank, robbing it and throwing a suspicious device onto the counter of the bank. Witnesses told authorities the man fled in a white, older model SUV.

After the bank was evacuated and all employees and patron were moved to a secure area, Tennessee Highway Patrol retrieved the suspicious device and later determined it to be a fake device built to look like a bomb.

Meanwhile, a Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency officer located the abandoned vehicle shortly after the robbery in Cedars of Lebanon. Investigators were able to identify the suspect by comparing bank footage with the vehicle and suspect’s driver’s license information.

Investigators were able to identify and track down several of the suspect’s known associates. After following numerous leads, authorities traced a vehicle belonging to one of the associates at the Super 8 Motel in Hermitage.

FBI, WCSO and Tennessee Bomb and Arson officers located Jones in one of the rooms and took him into custody at about midnight Friday night. He was booked into the Wilson County Jail at about 1:40 a.m. Saturday, where he is currently being held without bond. It is anticipated he will be transferred to federal custody on Monday.

“We appreciate the cooperation of all agencies involved in apprehending the suspect,” Sheriff Robert Bryan said. “Because of all the help from the public and good investigative tactics by all agencies involved, we were able to take this suspect off the streets without anyone getting hurt. We sincerely thank everyone for their part in this case.”

WCSO Seeking Suspect in Armed Bank Robbery in Gladeville

WCSO are asking for the public’s help finding a suspect driving a white, older model vehicle, possibly an Expedition or Explorer, with broken back window containing following an armed robbery this afternoon at Wilson Bank and Trust, Gladeville Branch, on Stewarts Ferry Pike.

Police are currently holding the perimeter because of a device left on the counter inside the bank. All bank patrons and employees have been safely evacuated from the premises. The bomb squad was called to the scene.

The suspect was described as a black male with light skin tone. He was wearing a fake wig and mustache with a UT hat and a large camouflage coat.

The white vehicle, possibly an Explorer, was last seen headed down Couchville Pike toward Weakly Lane. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the vehicle or possible suspects is urged to contact WCSO at 615-444-1412 or call 911.

WCSO, Mt. Juliet PD Explorers Graduation Scheduled March 26, Now Recruiting for New Class

Wilson County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with Mt. Juliet Police Department has scheduled a special three-day academy for WCSO Post #328 and MJPD Post #465, culminating with a graduation ceremony at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at Boxwell Reservation.

Anyone interested in attending the Explorers Graduation Ceremony is encouraged to be at the Boxwell Reservation located at 1260 Creighton Lane in Lebanon by noon. There will also be numerous other events from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. including an obstacle course competition and other activities.

Wilson County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post #328 graduates include ten people who have been learning under the guidance of Post Advisor Christopher Keyes and associate advisers, Corporal Emy Bates and Deputy Joseph Bowen along with Post Coordinator Lt. James Lanier. Mt. Juliet Post Police Department Post #465 will have five graduates who have been under the command of Cpl. James Christensen and Officer Jennings Taylor.

WCSO is currently recruiting for young people interested in applying to join the new Post #328 Explorers Academy, which will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 9, at the Sheriff’s Office Training Room. Applications may be obtained at the Sheriff’s Office located at 105 East High Street in Lebanon. Anyone interested in participating can come to the class but must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The registration is $25. A complete list of classes and dates is available upon request.

So far, an estimated 10 students from Wilson County Schools have signed up for the program. It includes more than 60 hours of training in criminal law, officer safety and survival, arrest and search procedures, emergency management, crime prevention, CPR, report writing, crime scene investigation, riding with sworn officers and a host of other skills.

“We welcome all young people in our area who are interested in a career in law enforcement or just exploring opportunities to get started on a path to a professional occupation,” Wilson County Sheriff Robert Bryan said. “It is geared to help young men and women with opportunities in citizenship service, fitness and social responsibility.”

The Explorers is a division of Boys Scouts of America and is open to Wilson County students who have completed the eighth grade as long as they meet the requirements, have parental approval and must maintain at least a “C” average in school.

“This program is designed to teach self-discipline, respect and integrity,” said Officer Keyes. “Our advisors will help the students learn to perform just as our officers do on a daily basis with expectations that they will become role model for others whether they are in class or participating in everyday activities just as we do.”

In the long run, Explorers will have the chance to compete with other explorers, including those across the country and possibly internationally.