One vehicle stop, three arrests on New Year's Eve in Middlesboro

From WRIL -

At 4:35pm December 31, 2019 Middlesboro Police made a traffic stop on a 2015 4-door Ford at 19th street and Ashbury Avenue after suspicion of an intoxicated driver.

Middlesboro Officer Jeremiah Johnson, assisted by Officer Chris Barnes and Lt. Joe Holder, states in his citation that upon contact with the driver 18 year old Mary Lipford of New Tazewell Tennessee, she was exhibiting behavior consistent with being under the influence.

Lipford was asked to exit the vehicle for standard field sobriety tests, which she failed. In the citation Johnson notes that Lipford “freely stated that she had used Methamphetamine”.

A search incident to arrest yielded three bags of a rock-like substance believed to be Methamphetamine in her bra (via Mary Lipford shaking her clothing out), along with cash and numerous distribution baggies, a digital scale, a scoop with residue, an Oxycodone tablet, and two pieces of straws.

Also in the vehicle was 24 year old Allison Lipford, also of New Tazewell. She was found to have an outstanding bench warrant for failure to appear. A search incident to arrest revealed a bag of a clear rock-like substance believed to be Methamphetamine in her bra (via Allison Lipford shaking her clothing out)and pieces of an orange strip (Suboxone) in a cellophane pack.

Another occupant in the vehicle, 54 year old Fred Bailey of Middlesboro, was found to have an indictment warrant taken out by Lt Holder on April 14, 2016. Bailey was also found to be in possession of a stolen .380 caliber Ruger out of Florida, two bags of a clear rock-like substance in a shoe, numerous baggies, a digital scale, and two scoops with residue.

All three were lodged in the Bell County Detention Center.

Mary Lipford was charged with trafficking controlled substance - 1st degree, 1st offense greater than two grams Methamphetamine, possession of controlled substance - 1st degree, 1st offense (drug unspecified), and driving under the influence.

Allison Lipford was charged with possession of controlled substance - 1st degree, 1st offense (Methamphetamine), possession of controlled substance - 2nd degree, (drug unspecified), and she was served the bench warrant.

Fred Bailey was charged with receiving stolen property (firearm), possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, two counts of trafficking in controlled substance - 1st degree, 1st offense, possession of controlled substance – 3rd degree, and buying/possessing drug paraphernalia.