Two Arrested on Drug Charges Following Traffic Stop in Rockwood

ROCKWOOD, Tenn. — Two Harriman residents were arrested early Sunday morning after a Rockwood police officer initiated a traffic stop that led to the discovery of illegal drugs, paraphernalia, and more than $2,000 in cash.

According to a report from K-9 Officer Charles Haubrich, the incident occurred around 5:18 a.m. on August 3, when he observed a blue Ford Expedition make a U-turn on Roane State Highway and veer off the road. Believing the driver may be impaired, Officer Haubrich followed the vehicle through several city streets where it was seen braking erratically and driving in the wrong lane before finally coming to a stop near 716 Cooper Avenue.

The driver, identified as 47-year-old Jason Tyree Gordon, and his passenger, 46-year-old Angie Marie Pelfrey, both of Harriman, initially denied ownership of the vehicle or its contents. After Gordon refused to give consent to search the vehicle, Officer Haubrich deployed his K-9 partner Dexter, who alerted to the presence of narcotics.

A subsequent search of the vehicle turned up a .3 gram rock of methamphetamine hidden inside a rolled-up dollar bill, 1.44 grams of heroin above the driver’s sun visor, and a red and blue container holding an additional 12.9 grams of an unknown gray rock substance. Officers also found drug paraphernalia including a needle on the dashboard, snort straws, and soda caps containing cotton.

Gordon was found with $1,598 in his pocket, and another $441 was discovered in a backpack he claimed as his. He and Pelfrey were both taken into custody on multiple drug-related charges, including possession and manufacture/delivery of a Schedule I controlled substance, methamphetamine possession, simple possession, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Gordon was also cited for failure to maintain a lane.

Before transport to the Roane County Jail, Pelfrey admitted to hiding an additional 2.24 grams of methamphetamine in her waistband after being advised of the jail’s body scanners.

The vehicle was towed from the scene, and the total amount of seized cash was $2,039. The case remains under investigation by the Rockwood Police Department.