On May 15, 2025, Deputy Holden Atkinson of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on Myrtle Avenue in Crossville, after observing a grey Dodge Magnum driven by Ronnie Keith Pugh cross the fog line and roll through a stop sign. Pugh, a 49-year-old resident of Crossville, appeared nervous and defensive, prompting deputies to request a vehicle search, to which he consented.

The search revealed a marijuana roach, a tinfoil square containing a brown powder suspected to be heroin (0.780 grams), two oxycodone pills (0.760 grams) without a prescription, a 31-round extended Glock 9mm magazine, and several 9mm bullets. Pugh was arrested on-site for simple possession and taken to the Cumberland County Intake facility.

A consensual search of Pugh’s phone revealed images of firearms at his residence, and since Pugh is a convicted felon, investigators were notified. Deputies, along with Investigators Lucas and Wirey, visited Pugh’s home on Interstate Lane, where his mother allowed entry and directed them to the firearms.

The seized weapons included a sawed-off Stevens shotgun, a Glock 22 (.40 caliber), an RIA Imports VR80 (12-gauge), a Smith & Wesson M&P 15 (.22 caliber), a Hi-Point 995 (9mm), and a Marlin 25MN (.22 magnum). Pugh, after bonding out, agreed to return home to speak with investigators. All evidence, including the drugs, firearms, and vehicle, was seized and secured at the Cumberland County Jail.