(Smith County Insider Press) Carthage, Tenn. – On Sunday, November 22 Sgt. Junior Fields and Deputy Nick Gillilan of the Smith County Sheriff’s Department responded to a disturbance call on Enigma road. Upon arrival, a Honda civic was leaving the residence but returned minutes later to meet the officers in the driveway.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as Joseph Thomas Edward Rich. While speaking to Rich, an odor of intoxicants could be smelled on him. Rich admitted to drinking prior to speaking with the officers. Rich was then asked to complete a standardized field sobriety test, which he then failed. He was then placed under arrest. William Brandon Owen, passenger in the vehicle, was also found to be intoxicated as well as admitted to having smoked marijuana while at a house party, which was the reason for the initial disturbance call on Enigma road.
Rich handed over a marijuana cigarette to Sgt. Fields and was found to have a small bag of marijuana also. Further investigation found that Rich and Owen both provided marijuana to minors at the party. Owen was then arrested while Rich was transported to Riverview Regional Medical Center for a blood test before being transported to the Smith County Jail for booking. Several minors were found at the Enigma road residence and many of those juveniles were found to be intoxicated.
Rich was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and driving under the influence.
Owen was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, possession of schedule VI, and violation of drinking age law.
William Brandon Owen
Joseph Thomas Edward Rich
