Search intensifies for suspect

A suspect in the death of Samuel Deward Smith, whose body was found floating in Chewalla Lake several weeks ago, has been identified.

Sheriff Kenny Dickerson said an arrest warrant was issued early Friday for Joshua L. Fletcher, 31, of 120 Behan Street, Natchitoches, La.

The U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force is offering $5,000 as a reward for information leading to the arrest of the man charged with the murder of Smith at Chewalla Lake.

Video taken of the suspect and the victim’s 2003 Chevy S-10 pickup truck at Lake Center Grocery was used to positively identify Fletcher and substantiate his connection with the Smith murder.

Dickerson said Fletcher’s relatives had reported him missing about the same time the two men left Louisiana together for a camping trip at Chewalla Lake.

Video taken at the store indicated Fletcher was there at 8:59 a.m. on July 26, the sheriff said. He believes Smith’s death occurred on or about July 26. Smith’s body was found in the lake, Saturday, July 29, by fishermen.

“The investigation intensified when the suspect was reported missing about the time the victim was unaccounted for,” Dickerson said.

Fletcher was out on parole on a crystal methamphetamine-related charge in Louisiana, he said.

Dickerson said the photo on video at Lake Center Store was sent to law enforcement in Louisi­ana.

“He was identified by a brother and several family members and several close acquaintances,” the sheriff said. “Everybody positively identified Fletcher.”

Fletcher is still at large as of Tuesday at press time.

Bits and pieces of the investigation began to fall into place fairly quickly, Dickerson said.

Fletcher and Smith were seen walking by several people at Chewalla Lake park. A newspaper from Alexandria, La., was found on the bank of the lake near where Smith’s body was found. Fletcher was alleged to have talked to several county road employees and asked the quickest way to get to I-55. He told the employees he was headed to Louisiana.

Employees noticed grass and mud on Fletcher’s pants and shoes when they talked.

Smith’s wallet, in which he carried some cash and credit cards, was missing as was his cell phone. These items have not been used since his death, the sheriff said.

Fletcher was reported missing about the time the victim was last seen by his family in Louisiana, he said.

Smith was in the area near Alexandria when he told his grandparents he was going to Chewalla Lake.

Although medical examiners have preliminarily listed the cause of Smith’s death as drowning, other factors may have contributed to his death, the sheriff said.

Of particular note, the sheriff said, when he was pulled out of the lake, Smith’s face had a great deal of trauma consistent, in his opinion, with blunt force trauma.

Dickerson said he is intent on seeing this investigation to its completion.

He has plenty of good help from the U.S. Marshals and many other agencies who are working on the case and seeking the fugitive.

Fletcher is known to frequent the Ball, La., area. He is about 6 feet, 3 inches tall and weighs about 170 pounds. He has brown eyes and brown hair and could possibly have shaved his head, according to the U.S. Marshals.

Fletcher is also known to have violent tendencies and possible mental disabilities, according to the U.S. Marshal’s press release. Use extreme caution and do not approach Fletcher if you see him. Call the U.S. Marshals Service or your local law enforcement agency.

U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Mississippi Dennis Erby said, “We will exhaust every investigative tool our agency has to find Fletcher.  Our job is to assist our local partners in bringing violent fugitives to justice.”

If you have seen Fletcher or know his whereabouts, please call the U.S. Marshals Service communications center at 1 (800) 336-0102 or email sums.wanted@usdoj.gov.

Missing dog found

Smith’s dog Khava, a shepherd collie mix, was found injured along I-55 July 27 near Winona. It is believed the dog was riding with the suspect.

A motorist stopped and called the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Depart­ment and deputies picked up Khava and took her to veterinarian Daniel Hill. The veterinarian posted Khava’s picture on social media, as did the deputies. Photos had also been posted by media in the Marshall County area.

Khava was identified over the weekend and Maj. Kelly McMillen travelled to Winona Monday and brought Khava back to Holly Springs. Smith’s relatives came to take Khava home with them on Tues­day of this week.