From The Daily News/WRIL -
On Monday afternoon June 17, 2019
Middlesboro Police Officer Nick Capps executed a traffic stop leading to the recovery of a stolen weapon, drugs ,and other paraphernalia.
Officer Capps was on Longwood Road when he observed a 2009 white Chevy 2 door with an expired registration.
Upon contact with the driver, Caleb Vanover, Officer Capps explained the reason for the stop and was given consent to search the vehicle. In the citation Capps states that the passenger in the vehicle, 25 year old Austin Snowden, had a gray zip-up Michael Jordan bag laying in his lap. Inside the bag was a baggy with a crystal-like substance believed to be Methamphetamine. Found beside Snowden's left leg shoved between the seat and console was a loaded 9 mm Highpoint reported stolen out of Claiborne County. At Snowden's feet was a .22 caliber ATI semi automatic rifle, with one round chambered.
During the incident it was discovered that Snowden is a convicted felon.
He was transported to the Bell County Detention Center. During the booking process Officer Capps requested that jail staff search Snowden thoroughly. While he was removing his pants, a baggy containing a large amount of a crystal-like substance believed to be Methamphetamine hit the floor.
Austin Snowden was charged with first-degree possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of a firearm by convicted felon, possession of a handgun by convicted felon, receiving stolen property (handgun), and first-degree trafficking a controlled substance (greater than or equal to two grams - Methamphetamine).
Snowden is being held on a $10,000 cash bond.