From WRIL -
On Monday November 9, 2020 Middlesboro Sgt. Barry Cowan was on routine patrol on Cumberland Avenue when he clocked a green 1995 Jeep at 45mph in a 25mph zone. The sergeant turned on the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop at 22nd street and Cumberland.
Upon contact with the driver 40 year old Taylor Hardin of Middlesboro, Sgt. Cowan observed that he was exhibiting behavior consistent with being under the influence. Consent to search Hardin was asked and given. Found in his front pants pocket were Hydrocodone tablets and a Buprenorphine tablet, in his back pocket was $554.00.
On the driver’s side floorboard in plain view was an unlocked safe which was found to contain over two grams of suspected Methamphetamine, two bags of suspected Marijuana, 72 white bar tablets and several loose pieces of Xanax, a bag of blue round tablets determined to be Diazepam, and scales.
Standard field sobriety tests were administered which Hardin failed.
Taylor Hardin was arrested and lodged in the Bell County Detention Center charged with trafficking in controlled substance – 1st degree, 1st offense (greater than 10 dosage units schedule 1 & 2), trafficking in controlled substance 1st degree, 1st offense greater than 2 grams (Methamphetamine), trafficking in controlled substance - 3rd degree (greater than 20 dosage units), trafficking in controlled substance – 3rd degree (less than 20 dosage units), trafficking Marijuana – 1st offense, license to be in possession, operating a motor vehicle under the influence, speeding 10 mph over the limit, and failure to wear seatbelts.