A Smithville man who labeled an item of drug paraphernalia with his name was arrested in Cookeville Saturday evening for selling and distributing marijuana.
Evan Brady Cripps, of Pine Grove Road in Smithville, was charged in connection with the incident.
Cookeville Police Officer Kyle Farley stopped the vehicle Cripps was in because of a tail light violation and an expired registration. The driver of the vehicle, Braxton Atnip was cited for Motor Vehicle Lighting Requirements, No Insurance, and Expired Registration.
Officer Farley’s report states as follows:
“On March 12 at 7:47 p.m. I initiated a traffic stop on a black Honda Civic at the Breadbox at 850 West Jackson Street for a tail light violation and for an expired registration. I made contact with the driver, Braxton Atnip, and I immediately noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from about the vehicle. I asked Mr. Atnip to exit the vehicle and I asked him if there was marijuana in the car and he said yes. I asked if he would give me the marijuana and he said yes and got a backpack from between the right rear passenger, Evan Cripps, legs,” the report states
“Mr. Atnip pulled a Mason jar out of the backpack that had a bag of marijuana inside it and I asked whose it was and he said it was Mr. Cripps. I asked Mr Cripps to exit the vehicle and I asked if it was his and he said yes. I asked for consent to search his backpack and he did give me consent. Inside the backpack I located a set of digital scales that had “property of Evan Cripps” written on it. I also located a roll of plastic bags inside the backpack that he said he used to put marijuana in. The plastic bag of marijuana weighed approximately 25.5 grams,” the report continued.
“I placed Mr. Cripps under arrest for Manufacture, Deliver, Sale of a Controlled Substance, placed hand restraints on him and double locked them behind his back. I placed him in the right rear seat of my patrol vehicle”.
“I issued Mr. Atnip city citations for Motor Vehicle Lighting Requirements, No Insurance, and Expired Registration,” the report stated.
“I transported Mr. Cripps to the Putnam County Jail where on arrival I met with the Judicial Commissioner, obtained and executed a warrant for Manufacture, Deliver, Sale of a Controlled Substance on him”.
“I had initially made visual contact with this vehicle as it was passing Cane Creek School on West Jackson Street. The vehicle also stopped close to the Busy Bee Preschool at 749 Buffalo Valley Road”.
“The charge for Drug-Free School Zone is pending”.
“I placed the plastic bag of green leafy substance in evidence along with a TBI Crime Lab request for examination sheet for substance identification and quantity. I also placed the Mason Jar, digital scales, and roll of plastic bags in evidence,” the report concluded.
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