On May 6th, at 2:25 PM, the Saline County Sheriff’s Department responded to a physical altercation in Malta Bend. Two victims reported that 20-year-old Tatum Smith entered Victim 2’s residence seeking transportation, which was refused. Smith then verbally abused Victim 2 and physically assaulted Victim 1 when she called the police. Smith fled before law enforcement arrived, but later attempted to dissuade Victim 2 from pressing charges.

The next day, May 7th, police received a report of individuals at Smith’s residence. To which police arrived and observed a red Fiat parked outside and staged the area. When the vehicle departed at 7:28 PM, a traffic stop was conducted in Marshall. Smith attempted to flee but was arrested. Signs of substance influence were noted, leading to a search of the vehicle. Due to suspicion of narcotics, a Lafayette County Sheriff K9 deputy was requested and alerted to the presence of drugs. The subsequent search revealed multiple items:

– Under the front passenger seat: one glass smoking device with a crystal-like residue.
– On the front passenger floorboard: one orange syringe cap.
– In a backpack located in the trunk: multiple glass smoking devices with a crystal-like residue, consistent with methamphetamine, and paraphernalia.
– Under the trunk floorboard: a glass smoking device with a crystal-like residue consistent with methamphetamine.
– On the rear driver passenger floorboard: a tin foil wrapper, burnt on one end, still smoking at the time of discovery.
– In the rear storage of the driver seat: a pen wrapped in tape with a burnt end and a crystal-like substance (homemade smoking device).
– In the center console: one metal smoking device with a crystal-like residue.

The driver’s identity remains undisclosed pending further investigation. Smith has been charged with assault and resisting arrest. Her bond is set at $2,500 cash only for resisting arrest and no bond for assault.