LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- Failure to wear a seatbelt cost two people a trip to jail. On Aug. 12, LaFollette Police Officer Zack Daugherty saw Danny Jay Branam put his seatbelt on after he spotted him. Daugherty made a traffic stop where he made contact with Branam a passenger in the vehicle and the driver of the vehicle Meranda Elaina Martin where he smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, according to a report from the LaFollette Police Department.

When asked if there was any Marijuana in the vehicle, Martin reported that there was a Marijuana roach inside the vehicle. Daugherty had both occupants exit the vehicle to conduct a probable cause search of the vehicle. Upon searching the vehicle, he found two marijuana joints in the vehicle as well as a bag of marijuana weighing approximately six grams. Daugherty located a bag of a clear crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine weighing approximately 12 grams. He also located numerous plastic bags packaged together as well as digital scales. At this point, he placed Martin under arrest and she attempted to place her hands in her pocket. Martin was cuffed and then stated she had more in her pocket. Martin then read her Miranda warning and Daugherty retrieved a plastic bag containing approximately 0.5 grams of suspected Methamphetamine. Martin then admitted that she had a Methamphetamine pipe in her bra. Martin stated that she was holding the Methamphetamine for a friend. It was discovered that

Branam was wanted out of Knox County for two arrest warrants.

Branam, 62, 3807 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, was held for Knox County.

Martin, 25, Jacksboro, is charged with manufacture, delivery and sell of a schedule II controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of schedule VI controlled substance. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 08/30/2024-6AM)

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