Sheriff department responds to subject receiving threats, makes arrests

Friday, June 29, 2018

Press release

On Wednesday June 27th, 2018 at approximately 2:48 PM, a unit with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department was dispatched to a residence on Waterloo Road in reference to a subject receiving threats to be killed on social media.

Upon arrival, the Deputy spoke with the complainant who stated he was at a residence on Spring Ave in Lawrenceburg, TN last date. While at the residence, he was assaulted and robbed at gun point.

The complainant did have knot on back of his head and side of face which he felt was the result of the subjects hitting him with a gun. I explained to complainant since that incident occurred in the City of Lawrenceburg; he would have to file a report with them.

A patrolman with Lawrenceburg Police Department responded to Waterloo Road to take the report and at that time officers left the residence.

On or about 3:59 PM on the 27th of June, a Deputy was dispatched back to the residence on Waterloo Road because the complainant had received more threats to be killed from the same subjects.

Upon arrival, the Deputy reviewed the messages that were threatening in nature, saying things such as “I’m headed out there to make sure you don’t take another breath”.

The Deputy advised dispatch he would be standing by in case someone tried to show up because the messages continued to come to the complainant. Approximately 4:34 PM, a dark colored car started coming up the driveway. The vehicle got about half way up the driveway and began to back out after seeing the patrol unit.

The Deputy made their way to the vehicle and made contact with the subjects. The Deputy requested another unit to respond due to the fact of all the threats being made and the prior knowledge of the robbery and assault that happened the night before with a gun involved. The Deputy approached the car and made contact with Cheyanne Carol Martin, Christy Carol Staggs, and a male subject driving who had NO ID and stated his name was Ray Skelton.

The Deputy knew it to be a false name because the subject was recognized as Chanston Ray McClain. The Deputy observed the driver moving around and appearing very nervous. The Deputy did ask the driver to exit the vehicle so he could see what he was trying to hide. When Chanston Ray McClain got out of the vehicle, the Deputy observed he had his T-shirt tucked in the front of his pants.

The Deputy advised him he knew he was not Ray Skelton and that he was the one making the threats to the complainant. The Deputy asked McClain if he had a weapon and he turned away from the Deputy as if was trying to hide something. The Deputy grabbed hold of McClain’s arm and a black handgun fell out on the ground between them.

McClain refused orders to place his hands behind his back and lay down so he was hand cuffed for officer safety. The Deputy then noticed Christy Staggs, sitting in back seat driver seat, had a handgun under her right leg. Christy was then taken out of the car and placed in hand cuffs.

Cheyanne Martin was in the front passenger seat and did have a brown purse sitting in her lap that she said was not hers. The purse was very heavy and due to fact the other two subjects had a gun, the purse was searched for a weapon. Several glass meth and marijuana pipes were found as well as the identification documents of Cheyanne Martin.

Also in the purse was a small mirror with white crystal residue on it believed to be methamphetamine. A further search of Chanston Ray McClain revealed a yellow tube in his back left pocket with approx. 4.5 grams of white crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine.

The black Tristar 40 cal. handgun in Chanston McClain’s possession was reported stolen out of Hartselle, AL. Christy Carol Staggs (49) of Collinwood, TN was arrested for possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony and possession of drug paraphernalia. Staggs was released on a $22,000 bond.

Cheyanne Carol Martin (19) of Collinwood, TN was arrested for possession of a controlled substance schedule II (Methamphetamine) and possession of drug paraphernalia. Martin was released on a $4,000 bond. Chanston Ray McClain (26) of Lawrenceburg, TN was arrested for possession of a controlled substance schedule II for resale (Methamphetamine), driving on suspended license, aggravated assault, criminal impersonation, resisting resist, possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony.

The City of Lawrenceburg Police Department signed additional warrants for aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, and assault (police officer). These charges stemmed from the incident on Spring Ave which occurred on June 26th, 2018. Chanston McClain is being held on a $214,000 bond. All 3 subjects were transported to the Lawrence County Detention Center without incident.

Anyone with any information concerning drugs or any other illegal activity is encouraged to contact the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department 931-762-3626 or the Criminal Investigation Division 931-762-1608. Tips may also be reported online confidentially by visiting our department’s Facebook page and sending a message.