A traffic stop early Monday morning in front of Wendy’s on S. Church Street netted two arrests. Police say they stopped a vehicle because license plate was not properly lit.

Once stopped, police made contact with the driver, 18-year old David Ryan Frederick. What police saw as they approached the car was reminiscent to the TV show, Breaking Bad. Frederick, an Alabama resident, had a ventilation mask hanging around his neck. Authorities then asked for permission to search the car.

A large number of Lithium batteries were all over the front driver and passenger compartments of the car. Opening the trunk led to the discovery of a duffle bag where the spare tire is normally kept. Inside the bag was a container of Coleman fuel, a separate container of unknown liquid and a bag of white substance. The items, along with the ventilation mask, raised the concern that Methamphetamine may be present.

Officer W. Hall called in a supervisor. Two Drug Task Force officers were then called to the scene. The search of the car continued, turning up rubber hoses, tubes, a glass container and numerous other items used to manufacture Meth. Police also searched a purse belonging to 19-year old passenger Morgan Nichole Parker, also from Alabama. More batteries were located in her purse along with lighter fluid.

Authorities then questioned the two and according to the report, “Both parties admitted that they use the items to manufacture Methamphetamine.” The Tennessee Meth Task Force then arrived on the scene and removed all of the hazardous materials, many of which were transferred to the TBI for further testing.  

The two Alabama residents were transferred to the local jail where they were booked under charges of “Initiating the Manufacturing of Meth, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Felony) and Possession of a Schedule 2 drug.” The man and woman were booked under a $100,000 bond. They may remain in Tennessee for quite some time as their court date is not until October. So far, they have not been able to make bond.

Source:

MPD Arrest Report #14-14675 A, B
Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office