A Claiborne County detective is off the job after a weekend traffic stop ended with his arrest on a DUI count and several related charges, county officials said.
Last Saturday, 35‑year‑old Detective James Venable was taken into custody after troopers pulled over a vehicle. He now faces multiple allegations tied to that stop, including a claimed violation of Tennessee's implied‑consent law, an open‑container offense, and an accusation of possessing a firearm where alcoholic beverages are served. The Tennessee Highway Patrol is conducting the criminal investigation, while the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office has opened an internal review. Local media first reported the arrest earlier this week.
How the arrest unfolded
According to WATE, troopers stopped a vehicle last Saturday and identified the driver as Venable, providing his name and age. The station reported that the traffic stop resulted in a slate of charges under Tennessee's implied‑consent statute and other counts tied to alcohol and a firearm.
Charges posted by sheriff
The Claiborne County Sheriff's Office later posted the list of charges, which include an alleged violation of the implied‑consent law, an open‑container violation, and a count of possessing a firearm where alcoholic beverages are served. Sheriff Bob Brooks confirmed that Venable has been placed on administrative leave while state and county investigators coordinate their parallel inquiries.
State troopers' statement
A Tennessee Highway Patrol spokesman told WATE that the agency will send a preliminary report on the stop to local authorities once it is complete. The spokesman did not give the station a timeline for when that report will be ready.
What an implied‑consent violation can mean
Under Tennessee law, motorists are considered to have given implied consent to chemical testing for alcohol or drugs. Refusing a requested test can bring administrative penalties such as license suspension, as outlined in Tenn. Code § 55‑10‑406. Any criminal prosecution would move forward under state statute and through the local district attorney's office, with potential penalties depending on a driver’s prior record and the outcome of court proceedings or administrative hearings.
Next steps
Authorities say the investigation is still in progress, and more records could be released once the Highway Patrol finishes its preliminary paperwork on the stop. For now, Venable remains on administrative leave while state and county officials review the circumstances and determine whether to formally pursue the case in court.
