Tennessee State Trooper Arrests Three on Drug Charges in Davidson County

Tuesday, August 06, 2013 | 11:38am

NASHVILLE --- A member of Tennessee Highway Patrol’s West Bureau Interdiction Team arrested three men on drug charges in Davidson County on Monday morning. 

Patrick W. Kelly, 43, of Kalamazoo, Mich., the owner and driver of the vehicle, along with passengers Gregory Nelson, 22, of Oviedo, Fla., and Edward Phillips, 38, of Belleville, N.J., were charged with possession of marijuana for resale and possession of drug paraphernalia.  Kelly was also charged for a log book and lane violation, traveling with an unsecure load and unauthorized passengers.

Trooper Allen Leverette stopped a Volvo tractor trailer leased by Atlas Van Lines for failure to maintain lane on Interstate 40 westbound at the 205 mile marker at approximately 5:28 a.m. Monday. Upon making contact with the vehicle, he observed three occupants who exhibited nervous and suspicious behavior. They were allegedly en route to Memphis to pick up a trailer, pack and load furniture to take to a predetermined destination.

Trooper Leverette’s continued investigation discovered that both passengers had a prior drug history and one (Phillips) was on probation for possession of cocaine and heroin. Upon further questioning, the driver failed to produce a log book and each occupant told of conflicting travel plans.  A short time later, Trooper Leverette’s K-9 alerted to drugs on the passenger side door.

Investigators then conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle, where they discovered eight packages of marijuana inside a cooler in the sleeper berth.

The three vehicle occupants were placed under arrest and transported to the Davidson County Jail. Kelly and Nelson are each being held on a $20,000 bond, while Phillips’ bond is $50,000.

Booking photos can be obtained from the Davidson 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.  

 

###

Press Releases | Safety & Homeland Security