PUTNAM I-40 TRAFFIC STOP INTERCEPTS DISTRIBUTION OF FENTANYL

From the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office:
On August 11, 2025, PCSO Deputies were conducting routine traffic enforcement on Interstate 40 during the night hours when they made two significant traffic stops within just a couple hours of each other. Deputies first stopped a Grey Toyota Tacoma for following too close to the vehicle in front of them. The driver was identified as Ethan Howard. Due to the driver’s mannerisms, K9 Tuco was deployed and positively alerted on Howard’s vehicle.
A search of Howard’s vehicle led to the seizure of approximately 6 ounces of Fentanyl, 7 grams of Methamphetamine, $3,235 of US Currency, and 3 firearms, one of which was a rifle. Howard was arrested and charged with Manufacture, Delivery, Sell of Fentanyl, Manufacture, Delivery, Sell of Methamphetamine, and Armed Dangerous Felonies. Howard has a bond set at $127,000 and a court date of September 17, 2025.
Shortly after, Deputies made another traffic stop on a vehicle for failure to maintain lane. The driver of this vehicle was identified as Kristopher Sherrell. Once again K9 Tuco was deployed and positively alerted on Sherrell’s vehicle.
A search of Sherrell’s vehicle led to the seizure of approximately 3 ounces of Fentanyl in 3 separate baggies. Sherell was arrested and charged with Manufacture, Delivery, Sell of Fentanyl. Sherrell has a bond set at $51,000 and a court date of August 13, 2025.
Further investigation revealed that these two individuals had traveled to Nashville to pick up Fentanyl and bring it back for distribution in Putnam County.
Sheriff Farris said, “Every ounce of Fentanyl we take off the streets is a potential life saved. These two traffic stops show how important traffic enforcement on our interstates can be. My Deputies quick actions and K9 Tuco’s outstanding work stopped a lethal amount of narcotics from hitting our streets.”