By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Union City, Tenn.—A protracted traffic stop Saturday afternoon in Union City resulted in drug charges being levied against a woman from East Point, Ky., and a vehicle seized.
Stacey Danielle Lewis was charged with felony possession of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia after the car she was riding in was stopped in the 800 block of North Everett Blvd. at around 6 p.m. The Chevrolet Cavalier also was seized.
They were stopped for a passenger seat belt violation and in the course of the stop, officers said driver Steve Cooley continually asked why he was being stopped and would not produce his driver’s license and proof of insurance. Once he finally produced the documents, Cooley then refused to exit the vehicle, according to the report.
According to the report, Cooley exited the car and was “very defensive during the entire stop and was hesitant on answering any question being asked.’” Cooley then asked whether he should be recording it and told Lewis to begin recording with her phone, which she did.
Officers then informed Cooley they were also recording the stop. Officers asked whether any drugs were in the car and asked why he was being asked that. He then refused the officers’ request for a search of the vehicle.
Cooley was told that officers would be using the K9 Bator for an exterior search and at that point Cooley asked, “If he alerts, then what are you going to do?” Cooley was informed him that a search of the interior would be conducted at that point.
Bator alerted to the driver’s door and Cooley was informed a probable cause search would be conducted. Cooley then asked, “You still going to search?”
A black zipper pouch containing a clear bag of crystal meth (approximately 1.04 grams) was found in the console along with a loaded syringe with liquid meth (approximately .32 grams). Also in the pouch was an empty syringe and one meth spoon with residue, along with empty meth bags.
According to the report, Lewis said the drugs were hers.
Because the vehicle was used to transport a felony amount of meth across different jurisdictions, the car was seized.
They were stopped for a passenger seat belt violation and in the course of the stop, officers said driver Steve Cooley continually asked why he was being stopped and would not produce his driver’s license and proof of insurance. Once he finally produced the documents, Cooley then refused to exit the vehicle, according to the report.
According to the report, Cooley exited the car and was “very defensive during the entire stop and was hesitant on answering any question being asked.’” Cooley then asked whether he should be recording it and told Lewis to begin recording with her phone, which she did.
Officers then informed Cooley they were also recording the stop. Officers asked whether any drugs were in the car and asked why he was being asked that. He then refused the officers’ request for a search of the vehicle.
Cooley was told that officers would be using the K9 Bator for an exterior search and at that point Cooley asked, “If he alerts, then what are you going to do?” Cooley was informed him that a search of the interior would be conducted at that point.
Bator alerted to the driver’s door and Cooley was informed a probable cause search would be conducted. Cooley then asked, “You still going to search?”
A black zipper pouch containing a clear bag of crystal meth (approximately 1.04 grams) was found in the console along with a loaded syringe with liquid meth (approximately .32 grams). Also in the pouch was an empty syringe and one meth spoon with residue, along with empty meth bags.
According to the report, Lewis said the drugs were hers.
Because the vehicle was used to transport a felony amount of meth across different jurisdictions, the car was seized.