Last night, Knoxville Police Department's Community Engagement Response Team pulled over a KIA SUV on MLK Jr. Avenue for an innocuous reason: an inoperable tag light. However, the stop soon escalated after officers noted suspicious behavior from the vehicle's three occupants. According to a social media post from the Knoxville Police Department, a K-9 unit quickly alerted to narcotics, leading to a subsequent vehicle search.
The search unearthed more than just drugs. CERT officers reportedly found four firearms, including an AR-style pistol with a defaced serial number and a handgun reported stolen in Union County. "Over 22 grams of suspected crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia, including a digital scale," were also discovered, the Knoxville Police Department’s post detailed. The incident resulted in arrests and multiple charges for 30-year-old Tyrone Tumlin, 21-year-old Marquis Twitty, and a 17-year-old male, who were all in the vehicle at the time of the stop.
Tumlin, who has a previous conviction for aggravated assault, faced charges related to being a convicted felon in possession of a weapon and schedule II drug offenses. Twitty's charges included theft of a firearm. Meanwhile, the underage male was charged with prohibited weapon possession and possession of a handgun with an altered serial number. Knoxville authorities continue to assert their commitment to respond to and investigate crimes that compromise community safety.
The discovery and seizure of these items and substances underscore ongoing concerns about firearms and drug trafficking within urban communities. This incident serves as a reminder of the routine risks and complexities police officers face. The CERT, through its proactive enforcement measures, aims to ultimately reduce these types of crimes, ensuring residents can more safely navigate through the streets that bear the name of a man devoted to nonviolence and justice.
