Tennessee Highway Patrol Motorists Assist Leads to Double Arrest

NASHVILLE --- Tennessee State Trooper Alfred Seitner arrested two Knoxville women on drug charges Tuesday night after he stopped to assist the apparent stranded motorists in Cumberland County.

Trooper Seitner observed a vehicle on the shoulder of the roadway with emergency lights flashing on Interstate 40 eastbound near exit 322 at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday. As he was approaching the vehicle to offer assistance, the driver and passenger exited the car and switched positions. Trooper Seitner made contact with the passenger and she explained they had a headlight malfunction.

Trooper Seitner immediately noticed nervous and suspicious behavior from the passenger (formerly driver) and requested that she step out of the vehicle for further questioning.  Upon additional investigation, he learned that her driver’s license was suspended.  She also admitted to having cocaine in her wallet.

Trooper Seitner then requested and obtained consent to search the vehicle, where he discovered a green backpack containing a set of digital scales, a cutting agent and a mason jar with approximately 14 grams of marijuana. He also found a prescription pill bottle with morphine, oxycodone, Xanax and various other prescription pills on the passenger’s person. The pills were not prescribed to her.

Lyndsay B. Allred, 27, who was positioned in the passenger seat, and Tabitha Buckner, 33, both of Knoxville, were arrested and transported to the Cumberland County Jail.

Allred was charged with possession of schedule II drugs with intent to manufacture, sale, or deliver, possession of schedule VI drug with intent to manufacture, sale or deliver, and possession of schedule IV drug with intent to manufacture, sale or deliver. She was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. It was also discovered that Allred was wanted out of Hamilton County for failure to appear on a DUI charge. Allred’s bond was set at $56,000.

Buckner was charged with possession of schedule VI drug with intent to manufacture, sale or deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia. She is being held on a $16,000 bond.   

Booking photos 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 that our state is a safe, secure place in which to live, work and travel; enforce the law with integrity; and provide customer-focused services professionally and efficiently.  

###