La Follette man free on bond after police find a bag of meth in crack of his buttocks

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- It was on routine patrol along the four lane Monday night when La Follette Police Narcotics Det. Noah Riggs thought a passing car was speeding. Riggs paced the black 2011 Kia Soul starting near Hunters Branch Road, and the detective determined the eastbound Kia was traveling at 60 miles per hour in a 40 mph zone.

Rather than pull off the road on the right shoulder, the driver chose to turn left off the four lane into the parking lot of the NAPA Auto Parts Store. “She was driving in the left lane, and there was some traffic in the right lane, and I think that’s why she ended up on the other side of the road,” said Riggs.

Back up from the sheriff’s office and LPD soon arrived. Campbell Sheriff’s K-9 Deputy Grace Cross deployed K-9 Jago, and Jago allegedly made a positive alert on the car particularly in the seat where 29-year old James David Lawson had been sitting, according to the police report. “Once Jammer, Lawson’s nickname, realized Jago alerted, he started excessively paranoid.

LPD Officer Anthony Mahar took Lawson off to the side and asked him if he had anything hidden on or in his person. Lawson allegedly said no and proceeded to pull out his privates without being asked to do so. Mahar asked Lawson to pull his shirt up and his beltline out, and Lawson was not complying.

Lawson began pulling out a plastic baggie from the crack of his buttocks, based on the report. There was a brief struggle before Mahar placed Lawson in handcuffs.

The plastic baggie allegedly contained a crystal-like substance believed to be Methamphetamine. “I tested the contents of the baggie, and the Tru-Narc device, test #1841, showed a positive result of Meth,” said Riggs.

Lawson, of 1115 Back Valley Road, La Follette, was charged with possession of a schedule II controlled substance and resist-stop-halt-arrestor frisk. Wilson is free on a $3,500 bond and is due in court again on Feb. 11.

The driver of the Kia was not charged. “She was very cooperative and worked with us during the investigation. So, I let her go with a warning,” said Riggs. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-01/31/2025-6AM)

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