Couple arrested after drugs found during traffic stop

Campbell Sheriff’s K-9 Daisy alerts to methamphetamine

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- Crossing the double yellow line and traveling into the opposite lane was enough for Campbell County Sheriff’s Det. Sgt. Grant Cole to initiate a traffic stop on a gray Buick SUV. Wednesday, around 4pm, along Highway 25W on the northbound side in front of Big Rock Tavern is where the Buick pulled over.

Iris Ruddy, 53, Sugar Ridge Lane, La Follette, was behind the wheel and allegedly told Cole she didn’t have a valid driver’s license, because it was suspended, according the the arrest report. There was a valid registration and insurance for the SUV. However, Ruddy was wanted on an active warrant out of Knox County and was placed under arrest.

Sheriff’s Sgt. David Wormsley arrived on the scene with K-9 Daisy, and Daisy performed a free air sniff after Ruddy’s passenger was asked to step out of the Buick. K-9 Daisy had a positive alert on the SUV when a black plastic magnetic box was located on the firewall under the hood behind the battery. There allegedly were baggies containing a crystal-like substance in the box, believed to be meth, along with a needle and a glass pipe.

Ruddy and her passenger, Chad Meade, 52, homeless, La Follette, denied ownership of the magnetic box K-9 Daisy located.

CCSO Deputy Journey Williams patted Ruddy down, and the deputy discovered she had a baggie in one of her pockets. A substance thought to be meth was found in the baggie, based on the report.

Meade was charged with one count of the manufacture, sale or delivery of schedule two meth and felony possession of drug paraphernalia.

Ruddy was charged with failure to maintain lane, two counts of the manufacture, sale or delivery of schedule two meth, driving while in possession of meth, driving on a suspended or revoked- third offense and felony possession of drug paraphernalia. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-04/11/2025-6AM)