From WRIL -
On Sunday night December 8, 2019 a short time before 8:00pm Middlesboro Police were conducting a safety/sobriety checkpoint on Highway 441 near Beans Fork.
In a vehicle that had approached the checkpoint was passenger 51 year old Tony Lewis Prater Jr. of Middlesboro. In his citation, Middlesboro Officer Chris Barnes states that, after asking the driver of the vehicle for consent to search, he located a fanny pack lying in the floor between Prater’s feet.
After being asked if the pack belonged to Prater he stated it was his. Upon further investigation, Officer Barnes located two small clear distribution bags containing a crystal-like substance believed to be Methamphetamine, a glass pipe, and a Marijuana cigarette.
Tony Lewis Prater Jr. was arrested and lodged in the Bell County Detention Center charged with possession of controlled substance – 1st degree, 1st offense – Methamphetamine, possession of Marijuana, and buying/possessing drug paraphernalia.