The Knoxville Police Department - TN took to social media to commend East District officers for their vigilant efforts on the evening of Independence Day. The unit's routine traffic stop at Timothy Avenue and Rutledge Pike led to the seizure of several firearms, including one reported as stolen.
According to the department's post, the stop of a Chevrolet Suburban with an expired tag at 6:45 p.m. last Friday escalated after passenger Johnathan Brown, 48, exhibited suspicious behavior. Brown, when instructed to exit the vehicle, dropped a small baggie believed to contain methamphetamine. After attempting to flee, he was apprehended following a brief pursuit.
The search of Brown's vehicle yielded four firearms, numerous pills, a quantity of suspected marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. Reports have confirmed that Brown owned five warrants at the time of the encounter. The officers' discovery taps into the ongoing concerns regarding illegal weapons and narcotics within city limits.
Brown now faces multiple charges, including being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun, theft of a firearm, tampering with evidence, resisting arrest, evading arrest, and multiple drug offenses.
