LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- LaFollette Police Officer Cheyenne White was alerted via radio by Lt. Shane Tielman about a possible drunk driver around 11 am on Wed., April 16. A silver 2004 Honda CRV was allegedly swerving across the lanes of traffic on West Central Ave. heading eastbound.

Officer White located the vehicle on West Central Ave. and stopped it at the Main Street Shell Gas station. Before Officer White exited the her police cruiser, she noticed the male driver of the Honda looking towards her through the driver’s side mirror, according to a report from the LaFollette Police Department The suspect then began reaching inside the vehicle where officers could not see, he was told to stop reaching around, and he complied.

Officer White approached the Honda and spoke with the driver and explained that she had stopped him due to his driving and that he was possibly under the influence, driving all over the road and crossing lanes. Officer White asked the man if he would perform standardized field sobriety test to ensure he was not intoxicated. The man consented and got out of the Honda.

When Officer White asked him if he if he had any guns or weapons inside the vehicle, he reported “I shouldn’t have no”. She then asked if he had any weapons on his person and he replied no. He was then asked for ID to identify himself, and he provided his driver’s license. A check of his license showed revoked and one prior driving while revoked. The man was identified as Dylan Lawayne Richey. Officer White asked him why his license was revoked and replied he had no idea but was supposed to get his license back by April 22. He then told White he was on probation through Anderson County Sheriff’s Department for aggravated burglary.

Officer White ask Richey if there was anything illegal inside his vehicle, anything he shouldn’t have, or anything that could poke, stick or hurt her. At this point, Richey stated that he thought there was a gun under the driver’s side seat that belonged to his friend.

Richey was asked to perform field sobriety tests to which he allegedly performed poorly. Officer White asked Richey for consent to search his vehicle, and he agreed. Lt. Tielman found a loaded handgun under the driver’s seat, a black scale inside the driver’s door, which contained residue. Also found was a rolled up, burnt object resembling a cigarette that had marijuana like odor. LPD Dispatch notified Officer White that Richey was a convicted felon.

Richey, 31, 115 Heck Lane, LaFollette was charged with DUI, driving with license suspended/cancelled/revoked, possession of handgun while under influence, possession firearm-convicted felon, schedule VI simple possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-04/28/2025-6AM)

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