A Sunday traffic stop along Highway 55 in McMinnville turned into a weapons and drugs arrest after police say a Murfreesboro man was caught speeding and then found with loaded guns, a high-capacity drum magazine, and a stash of suspected marijuana.
According to officers, the driver was identified as 23-year-old Xaviur A. Patterson of Murfreesboro.
The McMinnville Police Department shared photos and a brief account of the stop on its Facebook page. According to the McMinnville Police Department, Officer K. McCormick conducted the traffic stop and reported a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.
What the Law Says
Tennessee law bars carrying or employing a firearm while committing certain "dangerous felonies," as outlined in T.C.A. §39-17-1324 (see FindLaw), and it includes enhanced penalties in some cases.
The state’s drug statute criminalizes the manufacture, delivery or possession of Schedule VI substances and ties penalties to quantity and intent under T.C.A. §39-17-417 (see Justia).
What Officers Say They Found
In its post, the department says officers recovered two loaded Glock 9mm handguns from the vehicle. Dispatch confirmed that one of the pistols had been reported stolen out of Davidson County, according to the McMinnville Police Department.
Police also reported finding a loaded 50-round drum magazine tucked under the driver’s seat. The department’s account lists a large baggie and five individually wrapped baggies, $337 in U.S. currency in the center console, and a reusable water bottle containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana.
The post identifies the driver as Patterson, notes an active Rutherford County warrant for failure to appear on drug-related charges, and states that he was cited for speeding. According to the same post from the McMinnville Police Department, total bond was set at $30,000, and Patterson is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, April 23, at 8:30 a.m.
Legal Implications
Tennessee’s firearms statute includes mandatory minimum sentences for certain convictions tied to dangerous felonies under T.C.A. §39-17-1324 (detailed at FindLaw).
Drug offenses involving Schedule VI substances under T.C.A. §39-17-417 can be charged as felonies, with penalties that vary by weight, intent, and surrounding circumstances. More specifics appear in the statute as published at Justia.
