200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

ThomasMPatton • 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX)

http://Police.KingsportTN.gov • www.KingsportPDBlog.com

On March 15, 2017 at approximately 8:15 PM, a Kingsport Police Lieutenant was working a traffic enforcement detail funded by a grant from the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) in the 400 block of Allen Drive in Kingsport. He observed a white 2008 GMC Sierra pickup truck with the passenger-side head light not working.

A traffic stop ensued, during which it was determined that the driver, identified as Jonathan A. Vanzant, had been driving on a revoked license. Mr. Vanzant was arrested and transported to the Kingsport City Jail. Prior to entry into the jail, he was asked if he had any contraband on his person, and he denied having any.

During a thorough search at booking, an alert K.P.D. Corrections Officer discovered a pill bottle concealed in Mr. Vanzant’s pant leg near his groin. The bottle contained the following:

1) 3 small baggies of a green plant material believed to be Marijuana

2) 2 small baggies of a crystal substance believed to be Methamphetamine

3) A baggie containing 8 yellow pills believed to be Xanax and 2 orange pill fragments believed to be Barbiturates

The Corrections Officer also located a syringe in the pocket of Mr. Vanzant’s pants. Based upon his initial traffic violations and the subsequent discovery of contraband, he was charged with the following:

1) Possession of a Schedule II Drug (Methamphetamine) for Resale

2) Possession of a Schedule IV Drug (Xanax) for Resale

3) Possession of a Schedule VI Drug (Marijuana) for Resale

4) Simple Possession of a Controlled Substance (Barbiturates)

5) Possession of Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia (Syringe)

6) Introduction of Contraband into a Penal Facility

7) Driving on a Revoked License

8) Violation of Light Law

He was arraigned the following morning and currently remains confined in the Kingsport City Jail in lieu of a $32,250 bond as specified by the presiding judge.

39 Years of Age

Kingsport, TN

2) Possession of a Schedule IV Drug (Xanax) for Resale

3) Possession of a Schedule VI Drug (Marijuana) for Resale

4) Simple Possession of a Controlled Substance (Barbiturates)

5) Possession of Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia (Syringe)

6) Introduction of Contraband into a Penal Facility

7) Driving on a Revoked License

8) Violation of Light Law

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

ThomasMPatton • 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX)

http://Police.KingsportTN.gov • www.KingsportPDBlog.com

This three-hour effort resulted in the issuance of nearly 50 municipal citations, 44 of which were for Violation of Seatbelt Law. In addition to the city citations, several offenders were charged with violations of Tennessee State Law. 4 individuals were charged with Driving on a Revoked, Suspended, or Canceled License, 3 individuals were charged with Violation of the Financial Responsibility Law (no insurance), and 2 individuals were charged through State court for Seatbelt Violations.

One individual was arrested when Officers learned that another agency held an outstanding warrant for her arrest. One vehicle was seized in accordance with state law, as the driver with a history of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) was Driving on a Revoked License. Another 2 vehicles were towed in compliance with a new K.P.D. policy authorizing Officers to tow uninsured vehicles.

According to the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) the Tennessee statewide seatbelt usage rate for 2016 was 88.95%, which was a noticeable improvement over the 2015 usage rate of 86.23%. In an ideal world, all motorists would wear their seatbelt 100 percent of the time; however, the Kingsport Police Department would view any significant increase in usage to be a success.

To achieve this goal, the Kingsport Police Department is stepping up seatbelt education and enforcement efforts. In the State of Tennessee, a violation of the seatbelt law is considered a primary offense, meaning that if an officer observes a motorist not wearing a seatbelt, the officer may stop and cite the motorist for the seatbelt violation without observing any other offenses.

Wearing a seatbelt can easily make the difference in a motorist being seriously injured or killed in a crash versus literally walking away from the crash with minor injuries or completely unscathed. The Kingsport Police Department encourages ALL occupants of ALL motor vehicles to wear their seatbelt ALL of the time. It is the law, but more importantly, it might just save a life.

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

ThomasMPatton • 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX)

http://Police.KingsportTN.gov • www.KingsportPDBlog.com

The driver was subsequently identified as Alex Scott Miller. A check of his driver license status revealed that it was currently revoked as a result of a previous conviction for Driving Under the Influence. Mr. Miller was initially placed under arrest for Driving on a Revoked License and Speeding. During a search of his person incident to arrest, a large amount of U.S. currency was located in his pocket. Mr. Miller consented to a search of his vehicle, during which the following items were located:

1) Approximately 23 grams of a black substance believed to be Heroin

2) Approximately 187 grams of a crystal substance believed to be Methamphetamine

3) Packaging materials for the above narcotics

4) Approximately 1 gram of a green plant material believed to be Marijuana

5) Taurus .40 caliber handgun with approximately 20 rounds of ammunition

6) Rossi .22 caliber rifle with approximately 23 rounds of ammunition

Detectives from the K.P.D. Vice and Narcotics Unit were called in for assistance. During the ensuing investigation, Detectives discovered that Mr. Miller was a convicted felon in both Tennessee and Virginia. It was also determined that the location of this traffic stop fell within the prescribed criminal enhancement range of 1,000 feet of a municipal park (Kingsport Greenbelt).

Mr. Miller was transported to the Kingsport City Jail. During booking, an alert K.P.D. Corrections Officer discovered that he was in possession of a Stoker’s snuff can with an addition 3 grams of a crystal substance believed to be Methamphetamine concealed within. He was ultimately charged with the following:

1) Possession of Schedule II Drugs (Heroin and Meth) For Resale Within 1,000 Feet of a Municipal Park (Kingsport Greenbelt)

2) Simple Possession of a Schedule VI Drug (Marijuana)

3) Maintaining a Dwelling (Vehicle) Where Narcotics are Used, Stored, Manufactured, or Distributed

4) Possession of Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia (Packaging Materials)

5) Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony

6) Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

7) Introduction of Contraband into a Penal Facility

8) Driving on a Revoked License

9) Speeding (60 mph in a 45 mph zone)

The weapons were seized and were placed into evidence. The drugs were seized and will be sent to the T.B.I. Crime Lab for analysis. Approximately $2,000 in cash was seized as suspected profits from illegal drug transactions. Mr. Miller currently remains confined in the Kingsport City Jail in lieu of a $100,000 bond as determined by the presiding judge.

36 Years of Age

Mount Carmel, TN

2) Simple Possession of a Schedule VI Drug (Marijuana)

3) Maintaining a Dwelling (Vehicle) Where Narcotics are Used, Stored, Manufactured, or Distributed

4) Possession of Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia (Packaging Materials)

5) Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony

6) Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

7) Introduction of Contraband into a Penal Facility

8) Driving on a Revoked License

9) Speeding (60 mph in a 45 mph zone)

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit