From WRIL -
On Wednesday night October 16, 2019 while on patrol Middlesboro Officer Jeremiah Johnson made a traffic stop on a gray 2012 Nissan with Tennessee plates at Bellwood Road and North 25th Street for several driving infractions.
During the stop Officer Johnson was joined by Officer Dakota Torstrick. After speaking to the driver, passenger 33 year old Kevin C. Simpson of Middlesboro was acting nervous.
Simpson was given a Terry Frisk and Officer Johnson felt what turned out to be a bag of Methamphetamine weighing 162.5 grams. The bag fell out of Simpson’s pant leg as he began pulling away from the officer and he kicked it under the vehicle in plain view. Also found in his possession was a digital scale, a bag of syringes, and a loaded Taurus .45 caliber handgun.
Once at Middlesboro Police Headquarters, Simpson was warned by Officer Johnson of promoting contraband and he stated he did not have anything illegal. During a more thorough check of Simpson, he was also found to have a clear rock-like substance believed to be Methamphetamine, a strip of Buprenorphine, and a tablet of Buprenorphine.
Kevin Simpson was lodged in the Bell County Detention Center charged with trafficking controlled substance - 1st degree, 1st offense – greater than 2 grams (Methamphetamine), possession of controlled substance - 1st degree, possession of controlled substance – 2nd degree (drug unspecified), tampering with physical evidence, resisting arrest, buying/possessing drug paraphernalia, and two counts of promoting contraband – 1st degree.
The driver was given a warning and was free to go.