According to Wayne County Sheriff Tim Catron on February 15, 2025, at approximately 7pm while on patrol Deputy Valis Smedley observed two vehicles at the Stop, Pause and Pray Church on Kentucky West Highway 92. This is a location where the Sheriff Office has received numerous complaints about illegal narcotic sales and use taking place. Deputy Smedley advised the female driver of the first vehicle the reason why he had stopped and was checking due to the previous complaints at that location. The female then granted Deputy Smedley permission to search her and her vehicle. During a search, a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber handgun was found. The female stated she was a convicted felon and was confirmed by a criminal check by Wayne County 911 Dispatch Center. The Dispatch Center also confirmed that the male driver of the second vehicle as having an arrest warrant out of Clinton County. Deputy Smedley charged and arrested Tabatha Dishman of Monticello, KY. for possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. Deputy Smedley also arrested Austin R. Scarborough of Monticello, KY. on the Clinton County District Court Warrant of Arrest for failure to pay fines on the underlying charge of violation of a Kentucky Emergency/Domestic Violence Order. No illegal narcotics were found during the search.
In a separate incident on February 15, 2025, at approximately 9 pm, Deputies Valis Smedley and Jerry Meadows responded to a complaint of male attempting to break into an ex-wife’s residence on Kentucky West Highway 90. Upon their arrival they located the male outside of the residence manifestly under the influence of alcohol. The male refused to follow the Deputies verbal commands and had to be physically taken under control. Deputy Smedley charged and arrested James W. Loveless of Somerset, KY. for alcohol intoxication in a public place and resisting arrest.
Dishman, Scarborough and Loveless were lodged in the Wayne County Detention Center.