JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – Last week, Campbell County Sheriff’s Deputy Preston Mullins was attending the annual “Shop with a Cop” event at Wal-Mart. That’s when he saw a woman identified as Jamie Maria Wilhoit walk into the restroom area of the store. The deputy was informed by CCSO Sgt. Brandon Gross of a potential warrant for Wilhoit.

Mullins called dispatch to verify the warrant and waited for Wilhoit to exit the restroom, according to a report from the sheriff’s department. Once she came out, Mullins escorted her to the front of the store and placed her into custody.

Wilhoit allegedly told Mullins that she had a used hypodermic needle in her purse. When he opened her purse, he found two clear plastic baggies containing a brown powder substance believed to be heroin. The deputy asked if she was at risk of an overdose, she reported that she had injected earlier in the day.

Wilhoit explained to Mullins that she was taking care of her seven year old granddaughter who was in the store with her. Sgt. Gross located the granddaughter with her grandfather identified as Gerald Wayne Wilhoit the sergeant ran a check of warrants on the grandfather. It was discovered that he had active capias warrants as well.

The mother of the child came and picked the child up.

Jamie Maria Wilhoit, 43, 3211 Demory Road, LaFollette was charged with capias/bench warrant, possession of schedule I controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and child endangerment.

Gerald Wayne Wilhoit, 56, 3211 Demory Road, LaFollette was charged with theft of property under $999.99. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 12/17/2021-6AM)