Tennessee Highway Patrol Seizes $16,822 and Two Kilos of Cocaine During a Traffic Stop

NASHVILLE --- Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) State Trooper Michael Kilpatrick, a Criminal Interdiction Trooper, on Tuesday was patrolling I-40 in Hickman County when he observed a 2015 Chrysler 200 following to close to another vehicle. Trooper Kilpatrick pulled the vehicle over for following to close around the 159 mile marker. Trooper Kilpatrick approached the vehicle and entered into conversation with the driver and passenger who began to act very nervous. The trooper then asked the men where they were traveling. The driver stated they were returning home to Nashville. As the conversation continued with the two men, the driver stated that they had been in Houston, Texas. During this time the two men also began to give the trooper conflicting statements about their travel itineraries.

Due to the conflicting stories and several other possible criminal indicators Trooper Kilpatrick asked the driver for consent to search the vehicle. The driver, Deanthony Bryant, 20, Antioch, gave Trooper Kilpatrick verbal consent to search. Immediately the passenger, Shamain Johnson, 37, Nashville, denied consent to search. Trooper Kilpatrick requested Trooper Jeremy Miller to come assist with a THP drug detecting K-9. Once Trooper Miller arrived on the scene he began to walk his K-9 around the vehicle, during this time he received a positive alert. A probable cause search of the vehicle was then performed and the troopers seized two kilos of cocaine from behind the carpet in the trunk area along the left and right fender wells. As the search continued the troopers located $16,822 in U.S. currency in the center console between the driver and passenger seats.

Both men denied any knowledge of the currency. Trooper Brandon McCauley assigned to the DEA as a Task Force Officer responded to the scene and attempted to interview the two men. Both men refused to talk and were taken into custody without incident and transported to the Hickman County Jail. Bryant was charged with driving on a suspended license, possession of cocaine for resale, possession of drug paraphernalia, and following to close. Johnson was charged possession of cocaine for resale and possession of drug paraphernalia. For booking photos please contact the Hickman County Sheriff’s Office booking division.
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s (www.TN.Gov/safety) mission is to serve, secure, and protect the people of Tennessee.

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