CARYVILLE, TN (WLAF) – A slow moving vehicle on Highway 25W caught the attention of Campbell County Sheriff’s Deputy Preston Mullins on Saturday. Mullins was able to pace the speed of the vehicle at approximately 20 mph; the posted speed limit in the area is 45 mph.

While Mullins was following the vehicle, the blinking caution lights turned on. Mullins stopped the vehicle near Ridge Road at Cove Lake. As Mullins was approaching the vehicle on the passenger side, he saw three occupants who were allegedly making several sudden movements within the vehicle. The driver, identified as Kayleigh Shawntina Parker, appeared to be nervous and advised that the vehicle was having mechanical issues.

Parker couldn’t provide a driver’s license or identification. Mullins then conducted a NCIC check of her and learned her driver’s license had been suspended for failure to appear in court. According to a report from the sheriff’s office, Mullins spoke with two occupants in the car identified as Dustin Craig Ward and Danny Lee Bowman and learned neither of them possessed a valid license. Parker was also unable to provide proof of insurance.

Parker stepped out of the vehicle and according to the report, she allegedly denied having anything illegal.  Mullins went back to his patrol and began writing a citation and requested a K-9 unit. LaFollette Police Officer Cory Lawson responded to the scene with K-9 Morris to perform an air sniff of Parker’s vehicle. Lawson reported to Mullins that the K-9 did alert to the presence of narcotics on the passenger side of the vehicle, the report said.

At this point, Parker allegedly told Mullins she did have an uncapped hypodermic needle that she had shoved between the driver’s seat and center console. She then reported both passengers were in possession of Methamphetamine. Parker also reported that she had used Heroin earlier in the day, the report said. Mullins and Lawson conducted a search of the vehicle where they located a used hypodermic needle along with several mini clear plastic bags containing residue of clear rock like substance believed to be Methamphetamine under the driver seat of the vehicle. Lawson then allegedly found several clear plastic bags along with several hypodermic needles in the passenger seat area of the vehicle.  Also found was a clear plastic bag containing three grams of a clear rock like substance believed to be Methamphetamine under the rear passenger seat, the report said.

Bowman reported that he had no knowledge of any substance in the vehicle and stated that he observed Parker reach to her purse as the Mullins began the traffic stop. He then reported that he had only been with Parker for a day. Mullins then spoke with Ward who reported prior to the traffic stop that Bowman was originally sitting in the rear seat of the vehicle. However, Ward advised that when they had stopped at the Caryville Shell Gas Station, Bowman had gotten into the front seat. Ward then advised that Bowman informed him that he had hidden Methamphetamine under the seat. Mullins then spoke with Parker who reported she had been with Bowman for the last week. She also reported that she had no knowledge of any other items located in the vehicle other than the hypodermic needle.

As Bowman was being placed under arrest, a $100 bill fell from Bowman’s pocket. There was lettering “copy money” on the bill and discovered the bill to be fake.

During the jail intake process a plastic bag containing .02 grams of a clear rock like substance was allegedly located inside Bowman’s sock. The intake officer reported to Mullins that Bowman attempted to roll the bag into his sock and place it into the items bin discreetly to hide it from officers.

Parker, 20, 203 Pleasant Ridge Rd, LaFollette was charged with driving while suspended, revoked or cancelled drivers license, violation of TN financial law, driving while in possession of Methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bowman, 40, 111 East Central Avenue, LaFollette was charged with felony possession of Methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal simulation and introduction or possession in penal institution.

Ward, 37, homeless was charged with felony possession of Methamphetamine. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 01/12/2023-6AM)

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