Traffic Stop Leads Trooper To Stash Of Drugs And Cash

CONVICTED FELON DISCOVERED WITH WEAPON

Nashville, Tennessee --- Two women, one a convicted felon, were arrested after a Tennessee State Trooper stopped their vehicle Wednesday evening in Lewis County and discovered a cache of drugs and money.

Trooper Jeremy Miller was patrolling Highway 99 in Lewis County just after 6:15 p.m., when he noticed that the occupants of a 1996 Dodge Neon were not restrained.  Trooper Miller stopped the vehicle and observed that the three occupants were visibly nervous.  Trooper Wayne Dunkleman and his K-9 partner, Rock, were called to the scene to assist and, after walking around the car, Rock alerted the Troopers to the driver’s side door.

Troopers were given consent to search the vehicle and found a small amount of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a large amount of cash.  A 40 caliber Kahr handgun with its serial number filed off was also recovered. 

After being transported to the Lewis County jail, 21-year old Ashley Simpson of Hohenwald, TN, admitted to authorities that she had some crack cocaine hidden on her person.  Simpson is a convicted felon and is wanted on drug charges in Maury County.  She is charged with possessing a felony amount of crack cocaine with the intent to distribute and for being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun with altered serial numbers. 

The driver of the Dodge Neon, 21-year old Amanda Armstrong of Hohenwald, TN, is charged with simple drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.  Both women were booked into the Lewis County jail.  The vehicle’s third occupant was released.