A white light coming from a tail light prompts traffic stop

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- LaFollette Police Officer Joe Hicks saw a white Ford Ranger traveling west on Jacksboro Pike on the morning of Tue., Jan. 28, around seven o’clock. A white light coming from the rear driver’s side tail light of the vehicle when the driver hit the brakes prompted the traffic stop.

Officer Hicks stopped the truck and approached the driver, identified as Gregory Stanley Riggs and asked for his driver’s license, proof of insurance and registration.

The patrolman noticed that Riggs was fumbling with papers, trying to find the vehicle’s registration and insurance. As Officer Hicks was speaking with Riggs, he noticed that he had watery eyes, slurred speech, and an abnormal pupil size. Riggs told the officer that he had not consumed any alcohol or used any drugs that day, according to a report from the LaFollette Police Department.

Patrolman Hicks asked Riggs if he could search the vehicle. Riggs agreed and stepped out of the vehicle. The officer then asked Riggs if he would be okay with him searching his pockets and his person and Riggs consented stating that he did not have anything on him. While Officer Hicks was searching Riggs’ front left pocket, he found a small yellow baggie that contained a white crystal-like residue, and he stated that was not his. Riggs explained that he had found it at the gas station and picked it up to throw it away. Riggs was given a field sobriety test to which he performed poorly, based on the police report.

Riggs was arrested and transported to the Campbell County Jail. While he was being searched at the jail, the corrections officer allegedly found two packs of Buprenorphine, one in his sock and one wrapped in a ten dollar bill in his right pocket.

Riggs, 59, 504 River Drive, LaFollette was charged with DUI, possession of schedule II controlled substance, violation of light law and possession of schedule III controlled substance. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-02/14/2025-6AM)

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