TENNESSEE — A traffic stop involving a suspected stolen vehicle resulted in a significant drug seizure early Friday morning in Soddy-Daisy, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO).
Deputies located the vehicle around 2:15 a.m. near McCallie Ferry Road and Mount Tabor Road. After confirming it had been reported stolen, deputies conducted a traffic stop on Bretton Drive and found three people inside.
The driver, identified as Joshua Leroy Tate, was found carrying 115 grams of methamphetamine, 4.1 grams of fentanyl and $440 in cash, officials said. According to HCSO, Tate has prior arrests and active warrants for probation violations in Hamilton and Sequatchie counties.
Tate now faces multiple felony charges, including motor vehicle theft, possession of methamphetamine and fentanyl for resale, and possession of a prohibited weapon.
Two passengers, Rikita Casey and David “Junior” Stewart, were also charged with methamphetamine for resale. Stewart faces an additional charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.
The investigation remains ongoing.
