MT. JULIET, Tenn. – A routine traffic stop in Wilson County this past week resulted in the surprising arrest of a man who had been evading authorities for nearly three decades. Officers with the Mt. Juliet Police Department pulled over a vehicle on Lebanon Road near Matterhorn Drive after observing the driver run a stop sign and operate without headlights.

Upon identifying the driver, officers discovered he was a 53-year-old Nashville resident with an outstanding warrant from 1995 out of Rutherford County. The decades-old charge stemmed from a drug-related offense.

Further investigation at the scene escalated the situation. Officers found the man in possession of several containers of marijuana, digital scales, and plastic baggies—indicative of intent to distribute. Cocaine was also discovered on his person, and it was later determined that he was operating the vehicle on a suspended license.

Despite resisting arrest, the man was safely detained without injury to officers or himself. He now faces a slate of new charges, including unlawful possession of a Schedule VI drug for resale, unlawful possession of a Schedule II drug, driving on a suspended license, and resisting arrest.

Authorities in both Wilson and Rutherford counties are now working together to address the longstanding warrant and the fresh list of charges. More information on the arrest is expected and WGNS will update this news story when more details details are available.