Image Credit: DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office
The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –
14 individuals were arrested on Monday of this week during a compliance sweep of sex offenders in DeKalb County, Tennessee.
“Operation Blacklight” as the investigation was titled, was conducted by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Federal Marshals.
In addition to charges related to the sex offender registry, some of the arrested individuals are facing additional charges such as unlawful possession of a weapon.
20 firearms were recovered by law enforcement during the sweep.
“The registration compliance sweep operation was dubbed ‘Operation Blacklight’ because all bad things will come to light, even in the dark,” said DeKalb County Sheriff Patrick Ray.
Sheriff Ray stated that during the operation, law enforcement officers attempted to contact registered sex offenders across the county to make sure each one was following the requirements of their registration.
“Sex offender registrants are required to register in person with either the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department or the Tennessee Department of Probation and Parole,” Sheriff Ray explained. “The registrants must also comply with several registration requirements, such as updating their registration quarterly or annually, informing law enforcement when any changes have been made to their address, their vehicle registration and all social media accounts within 48 hours of the change.”
The sheriff further stated that failure to keep law enforcement notified of such changes is a crime and can be punished as either a felony or a misdemeanor.
As of Monday, September 29th, 2025, there were 85 registered sex offenders in DeKalb County.
Of those 85 offenders, 31 were registered with the DeKalb Sheriff’s Department.
According to Sheriff Ray, 14 registrants were found to be in compliance and 14 were suspected of being out of compliance.
It was found that one offender had made an out-of-county move, another offender had been incarcerated in a different jail, and yet another offender had an arrest pending.
“The primary purpose of this operation is to protect our communities, particularly our children, from potential harm by sexual offenders,” Sheriff Ray shared. “Citizens can go to the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry on the web and see all registered sex offenders who live in DeKalb County.”
The 14 offenders arrested this Monday and their charges are as follows:
- 44-year-old Tabitha Renee Strawbridge of Clear Creek Road, Liberty – Unlawful possession of a weapon and violation of the sex offender registry.
- 41-year-old Amanda Jean Moss of Smithville – Violation of the sex offender registry.
- 61-year-old Anthony Scott Hernandez of Obie Adcock Road – Violation of the sex offender registry.
- 70-year-old Larry Dale Lepley of Shady Drive – Violation of the sex offender registry and sexual activity with animals.
- 53-year-old Chad Robert Rogers of Peeled Chestnut Road, Sparta – Violation of the sex offender registry.
- 51-year-old Larry Lee Stump of Wright Bend Road – Violation of the sex offender registry.
- 78-year-old Charles William Schiavone of Possum Hollow Road – Violation of the sex offender registry (2 counts)
- 30-year-old Mickael Flynn Mosley of Old Snow Hill Road, Dowelltown – Violation of the sex offender registry.
- 44-year-old Steven Jay Repasy of Steeplechase Drive, Smithville –Violation of the sex offender registry.
- 72-year-old David Edward Smithson of Barnes Mill Road – Unlawful possession of a weapon, violation of the sex offender registry.
- 45-year-old Chris Lee Holman of High Street, Alexandria – Violation of the sex offender registry.
- 60-year-old James Lee Brockway of Locust Street, Alexandria – Violation of the sex offender registry.
- 69-year-old Perry Thaxton Riley, Jr. of McMinnville Highway, Smithville – Unlawful possession of a weapon and violation of the sex offender registry.
- 68-year-old Patrick John Degrie of King Ridge Road, Dowelltown – Violation of the sex offender registry.
Bonds have been set for each offender ranging from $2,000 to $15,000 and all of the individuals have been scheduled to make court appearances in October.
About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee. You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
