Traffic Stop Leads To Investigative Breakthrough and Bust

L/R – Examining evidence from the arrest are Dandridge Chief of Police Carson Williams, Detective Lieutenant Kenneth Lodwick, and Detective Lieutenant Kevin Bunch
Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

During a stop for a traffic violation for a spray-painted license plate and busted headlight, Officers Sam Cameron and Ransom Douglas, of the Dandridge Police Department, made a methamphetamine bust that also led to the discovery of several items that had been recently stolen in the county. According to Detective Lieutenant Kenneth Lodwick, also of the Dandridge Police Department, the stop happened at approximately 12:45 a.m. on the on-ramp of I-40 East of Highway 92, when the officers stopped a Grey 1986 B2000 Mazda Pickup Truck, driven Kenneth Edward Brown, 26, of New Market. Upon receiving verbal consent to further searching, Officers Cameron and Douglas discovered 4 grams of methamphetamine under the carpet of the driver’s floorboard. A .2 gram bag of methamphetamine, alongside a set of digital scales, was found behind the driver’s seat. In addition to methamphetamine, a scheduled 2 drug, the officers also found 3 clonazepam, a scheduled 4 drug, and a host of drug paraphernalia and bongs. Jeris Moulden, 30, was riding passenger. Moulden was in possession of a .2 gram bag of methamphetamine. Moulden was charged with possession of scheduled 2 drugs, while Brown was charged with possession of scheduled 4 drugs and possession of scheduled 2 drugs with the intent to distribute. Upon being question, Brown confessed that the items found in the back of the pickup, which includes two flat-screen TVs and multiple tools and fishing equipment, were stolen from three campers off of Oak Grove Road. These robberies had been reported, and Detective Ronnie Coleman of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is heading the investigation into the robberies. Chief of Police Carson Williams, of the Dandridge Police Department, lauded Officers Cameron and Douglas, stating that the bust was made because the officers did their jobs well and were alert that something was amiss with the original traffic stop.