According to Wayne County Sheriff Tim Catron a vehicle traffic
stop for moving violations has resulted in two convicted felons
from Tennessee being arrested on firearm and other charges.
On March 2, 2026, at approximately 7:20 pm, Wayne County
Sheriff Office Deputy Valis Smedley observed a pickup truck
making several traffic violations while in the city limits of
Monticello. When the pickup turned onto Shrewsberry Avenue
Deputy Smedley conducted a felony type traffic stop due to
movement of the men coming from the inside of the vehicle.
Deputy Smedley called for backup because of this movement.
After his backup arrived on the scene both the driver and
passenger were safely removed. Deputy Smedley detected an
odor of marijuana from coming from inside the vehicle. His
continued investigation and a search conducted by himself and
Wayne County Sheriff Office Deputy Nick Bertram of both men
and the pickup resulted in a plastic baggie containing a crystal
substance suspected to be methamphetamine, burnt marijuana
cigarettes, a loaded .380 handgun, drug paraphernalia items
being located and seized.
Deputy Smedley charged and arrested Kenneth W. Walden of
Lafollette, TN. for possession of a handgun by a convicted felon,
trafficking in a controlled substance-1 st degree (greater than or
equal to 2 grams of methamphetamine)-(enhanced), possession
of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Deputy Bertram charged and arrested Randall L. Jones of
Lafollette, TN. for possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.
Jones was also charged with reckless driving, failure to have
operator’s license in possession, failure to or improper signal, and
rear license not illuminated.
The crystal substance tested positive as being methamphetamine
with a total weight of 7.94 grams using the Tru-Narc Narcotic
Analysis Instrument.
Deputies Smedley and Bertram were assisted at the scene by
Sheriff Tim Catron, Monticello Police Officers Jeremy Thompson
and Jake Thompson.
Both Walden and Jones were lodged in the Wayne County
Detention Center.