While traveling I-40 West on Saturday, Deputy Steven Richardson noticed a white Chevrolet Malibu react to the presence of his patrol vehicle. The vehicle slowed down between 45 and 55 MPH several times and failed to maintain the lane by crossing over the fog line and center line. As the deputy got behind the vehicle to conduct a traffic stop, the vehicle pulled over onto the right shoulder.

Richardson initiated his emergency lights conducted a traffic stop at mile marker 313, and identified the driver as Michael Trussel.

Deputy Richardson noticed a large can of Twisted Tea in the cup holder, despite trying to conceal it between the left side of his body and his door. Trussel admitted to drinking and was asked to exit the vehicle while Richardson conducted a search. After requesting an additional deputy, Trussel denied consent to search the vehicle.

Richardson advised Trussell that he saw an open container and could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from him.

A free air sniff with K-9 Kilo yielded a positive alert to the odor of narcotics, and a probable cause search yielded a safe in the truck with a Taurus handgun. A criminal history check revealed Trussell to be a convicted felon, and so he was searched, arrested, and transported to the Cumberland County Jail for processing.

Michael Trussell was charged with felon in possession of a handgun and also cited for driving on roadways laned for traffic and open container. While in jail he refused to sign his citations.

The handgun was logged, photographed, and seized as evidence and is stored at the Cumberland County Sheriff’s
Office.