Window tint violation leads to narcotics arrest

DAYTON — A Rhea County Woman was arrested on Wednesday July 24, 2024, for multiple violations including drug and narcotic charges, driving with a suspended license and illegal window tint.

Based on the arrest report on file at the Rhea County Sheriff’s Department (RSCD), Brittany Smith was involved in a traffic stop conducted by RSCD Deputy Thomas Wilson.

According to Wilson, he observed a silver Ford Explorer traveling west on Highway 60 heading toward Dayton with dark tinted windows. After running the vehicle’s tag through Rhea County Central Dispatch, Wilson said that dispatch advised him that the tag was suspended.

Wilson said he initiated a traffic stop near Maley Hollow Road on Highway 60. Upon stopping the vehicle and making contact with the driver, Wilson said he identified Brittany Smith to be the driver. Wilson said he asked her to provide him with her driver’s license, vehicle registration and current proof of insurance.

Wilson said that Smith stated she didn’t have insurance on the vehicle and upon running her license through central dispatch, it was discovered by Wilson that Smith’s license was suspended for accumulation of points.

Wilson said he then spoke with Smith and asked her if there was anything illegal in the vehicle and Smith replied with “no, this is bull (expletive).” Wilson said he then asked Smith if he could search the vehicle to which she also answered no. Wilson said he then informed Smith that he was going to call for a K9 unit and she replied with “go ahead.”

Wilson said he then requested K-9 Deputy Alex Paul and her K9 Boti to converge on his location. Upon arriving to the scene, Wilson said that Paul and her K9 walked around the vehicle and Boti alerted to the passenger side of the vehicle.

At that time, Wilson said that Smith stated there was methamphetamine in the center console of the vehicle. After searching the console, Wilson stated that a clear plastic bag containing methamphetamine was found that weighed 2.76 grams, along with several small baggies containing a white powder residue.

Wilson said there was also a 2-year-old bottle of 100 mg Gabapentin containing 169 white capsules. Wilson also said there was also a clear container that held methamphetamine that weighed 1.14 grams along with three cut straws and a plastic bag containing white powder residue in the sunglasses compartment.

Wilson said a total weight of 3.99 grams of methamphetamine was collected from the vehicle. A window tint meter was also used to check the tint levels and found it to be 16. According to Wilson, the legal window tint should be 35 or better.

Wilson said that Smith was placed under arrest and transported to the Rhea County Justice Center. The vehicle was seized and towed to the Rhea County Impound lot.