BEDFORD – A Tennessee man was arrested on drug charges after being stopped for an equipment violation.
On Wednesday, June 5, at 12:21 a.m., Bedford Police Officer Zakry Brooking was on patrol when he spotted a silver Chevrolet Avalanche traveling east on John Williams Boulevard near Beech Street without a functioning license plate light.
He initiated a traffic stop at John Williams Boulevard and T Streets. The driver continued traveling east and pulled over at R Street.
The driver was 43-year-old Joseph Stannard of Jackson, Tennessee. When asked if there was anything in his vehicle, he admitted he had a gun near the passenger seat.
Officer Brooking asked to search the vehicle, but Stannard declined and was asked to step out.
A canine unit was requested to the scene. Sgt. Faheem Bade arrived with his canine partner Zazu who alerted police to possible drugs in the vehicle.
Police found a baggy containing crystal meth and a five-dollar bill with meth residue in Stannard’s wallet. Police also found a prescription bottle with two types of antibiotics and acetaminophen in the center console. A black EAA Witness P 9mm handgun was located in a holder in the passenger seat. The gun contained a loaded magazine. A second loaded magazine was also found.
Police also found a baggy of marijuana and a metal smoking device.
Stannard was arrested on charges of possession of meth, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Stone City Service and Collision Center towed the vehicle.
