Revoked driver allowed to drive by car’s owner, arrest followed

James Stout charged with 4th offense of driving while revoked

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- The man the owner of a 2012 Black Nissan Sentra allowed to drive her car was driving it without a valid driver’s license until La Follette Police became involved.

LPD Officer Joe Hicks was on routine patrol on Saturday afternoon when he allegedly saw the Nissan roll through a stop sign on North 19th Street and onto West Central Avenue at the Five-Way intersection. Officer Hicks performed a traffic stop at Canyon Lane, near the railroad tracks.

When Hicks asked the driver, James Stout, for driver’s license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance, Stout stated that he did not possess a valid driver’s license. The front seat passenger stated she was the registered owner of the vehicle. There was a male passenger in the back seat, Christopher Thompson.

The owner of the Nissan was asked by the officer if there was anything illegal in the car, she allegedly responded that there was “weed” (marijuana) in the center console.

Dispatch advised Officer Hicks that Stout’s driver’s license was revoked for DUI and that he had three prior offenses for driving while revoked. Hicks then placed Stout under arrest.

A search of the car produced the referenced marijuana, according to the police report. It weighed 26.4 grams.

Back up Officer Chris Mullins asked Thompson if he had anything illegal on his person, and Thompson allegedly stated he had a “blunt” in his right hoodie pocket. Officer Mullins recovered a clear tube containing a green, leafy substance, believed to be marijuana rolled into a cigarette, weighing 1.45 grams, according to the police report.

Thompson was issued a citation for simple possession of a schedule VI controlled substance.

Stout, 47, of 908 West Forrest Street-La Follette, was arrested and charged with possession-sell-manufacture schedule VI marijuana, driving on a revoked-suspended-cancelled driver’s license with four priors and obedience to required traffic control device. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-01/07/2026-6AM)