According to a report by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, on February 18, 2026, around 9:43 p.m., Deputy Jacob Moore of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office was on routine patrol along Lantana Road near Crossville when he noticed a dark-colored Chevrolet Impala with what appeared to be a dim or non-functioning registration light. After turning around to investigate, he observed the vehicle change lanes without signaling, prompting him to run the registration and initiate a traffic stop near Pigeon Ridge Road between approximately 9:43 p.m. and 10:24 p.m.

Upon approaching the driver, Deputy Moore recognized her as Ashley Paige Caruthers, a 39-year-old white female resident of Crossville. Deputy Holden Atkinson arrived as backup and confirmed the tag light was functioning. Deputy Moore informed Caruthers that he would issue only a warning for the lane change violation. During the conversation, she admitted to being on probation for the introduction of contraband into a penal facility.

With her consent, deputies searched the vehicle and discovered a hypodermic syringe, a bottle of prescription pills not belonging to her, and a pink SCCY CPX-2 9mm handgun. Caruthers admitted she was a convicted felon, leading to her on-view arrest at 10:21 p.m. for possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, a felony offense. She was transported to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.

The syringe was photographed and destroyed, the pills were returned to her inmate property, and the firearm was seized as evidence. The vehicle was left at the scene for family to retrieve.