LEBANON, TN – During a traffic stop, Lebanon Police Officer Andy Byrnes asked a driver and a passenger whose duffle bag of marijuana was in the backseat. Passenger Kwame Fleming was quick to say it all belonged to the driver, Jamari Whitley, who said it belonged to the them both. It turns out these were not ‘ride or die’ friends.
The traffic stop was the result of a headlight violation, and occurred on March 28th near West Main St. & Elm St. Upon approaching the vehicle, Officer Byrnes notes smelling a strong odor of marijuana and asked the driver, 18-year-old Jamari Whitley, how much marijuana was in the vehicle, and where it was located. Whitley stated “I don’t know”.
A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded a plastic bag of marijuana in the console, and a large blue duffel bag in the rear floorboard area, which contained two additional bags of marijuana, and scales were also found in the duffel bag and in a compartment near the windshield.
The 23-year-old passenger of the vehicle, Kwame Fleming, was questioned about the marijuana, and stated all the marijuana found belonged to the driver and “he should catch the charge for it”. The driver, Whitley, told police the marijuana belonged to both of them. A search of their persons resulted in $768 of currency on Fleming, and $1031 of currency on Whitley.
Both were charged with possession with intent to distribute, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Fleming posted a $3,500 bond and was released, only to be re-arrested on April 1st, charged with a probation violation. He also posted a $1,000 bond for that charge, and is scheduled to appear in court in June. Whitley is also free on a $3,500 bond.
