State Trooper Arrests Three in Alleged Pill Trafficking Scheme

NASHVILLE --- A Thursday afternoon traffic stop in Cumberland County led to a drug arrest by Tennessee State Trooper Michael Robertson. Trooper Michael Jolly assisted in the stop.Holly Garland, 24, and Shannon Collins (M), 30, both of Greeneville, were arrested and transported to the Cumberland County Jail. They were both charged with possession of controlled substance, drug paraphernalia, reckless driving, financial responsibility and violation of the seat belt and registration laws. Collins was also charged with tampering with evidence, driving on a revoked driver license, and following too close, while Garland faces allowing an unlicensed driver to drive and failure to yield charges. 

A third occupant, Roger Wilburn, 48, also of Greeneville, was taken into custody and later transported to the Cumberland Medical Center after it appeared he ingested numerous prescription pills during the traffic stop. Charges are pending against him.

Trooper Robertson was conducting stationary observation on the eastbound lanes of Interstate 40 on Thursday afternoon, when he observed a Cadillac Deville following too close and had unrestrained occupants. He initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle at the 308 mile marker at approximately 4:03 p.m. The vehicle was slow to pull over and Trooper Robertson observed the driver (Collins) and front passenger (Garland) change seating positions.

Upon approaching the vehicle, all three occupants exhibited nervous and suspicious behavior. The initial investigation revealed that there was no registration or insurance on the vehicle and the original driver (Collins) did not have a valid driver license. After noticing several other suspicious indicators, the front seat occupants, Collins and Garland, were removed from the vehicle.

Wilburn, who was seated in the rear of the car, appeared to have been swallowing pills and resisted arrest. He was eventually removed from the vehicle and placed into custody.

Investigators then conducted a probable cause search on the vehicle. A Crossville City Police Officer deployed his K-9 and received a positive response for the presence of drugs. Meanwhile, at the Cumberland County Justice Center, correction officers discovered a pill bottle for 30 milligram of Oxycodone and a change purse with three oxycodone pills and a crushed suboxone pill.

Collins also admitted to having approximately 60 Xanax pills, which he believed was ingested by Wilburn.   

The suspects were supposedly en route from Nashville and headed back to Greeneville. 

Shannon Collins’ bond is listed at $27,600, while Holly Garland’s is set at $26, 200.  Their court date is scheduled for October 8, 2012 in Cumberland County General Sessions Court. 

Photos of the suspects can be obtained from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s (www.TN.Gov/safety) mission is to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public.  The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.   

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