TWO ARRESTED ON I-40; ONE WITH A WARRANT, THE OTHER WITH METH

On Saturday, Deputy Steven Richardson, a K9 Unit Narcotics Canine Handler with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, was monitoring eastbound traffic on Interstate 40 in Cumberland County, Tennessee. While stationed near the 307-mile marker, he observed a Toyota Corolla slow down unusually as it passed his marked patrol vehicle, with its two occupants leaning back as if hiding.
Noting this behavior as suspicious compared to typical motorists, Deputy Richardson followed the vehicle and observed it crossing the fog line multiple times near the 311-mile marker. He ran the vehicle’s registration, discovering the owner, Derrick Johnson, had a history of evading law enforcement, prompting him to call for backup from Deputy Leary before initiating a traffic stop at the 320 eastbound exit in Crossville.
During the stop, Deputy Richardson approached the vehicle and identified the driver as Brandi Buckholtz and the passenger as Derrick Johnson, both from Harriman, Tennes. Buckholtz admitted to lacking insurance and attributed her lane violations to faulty struts, while Johnson, the vehicle’s owner, appeared nervous. After issuing Buckholtz a warning citation for failure to maintain lane and no insurance, Deputy Richardson questioned both occupants separately. Their inconsistent stories—Buckholtz claiming they visited Johnson’s cousin in Lebanon, while Johnson said they were just “riding around”—raised his suspicions of criminal activity.
Johnson consented to a vehicle search, which yielded no narcotics. However, dispatch reported an active probation violation warrant for Johnson from Roane County, leading to his arrest. While escorting Buckholtz back to his patrol vehicle, Deputy Richardson noticed a bulge in her hoodie. Despite her denials, a bag containing three packages of a white crystal-like substance (suspected methamphetamine, weighing approximately 1 oz, 4.1 oz, and 8 oz) fell from her hoodie. Buckholtz was arrested after claiming ignorance of the substance. Both occupants’ cell phones were seized, with search warrants obtained, as Deputy Richardson believed they might contain evidence of drug transactions.
Johnson was transported to jail on his warrant, while Buckholtz was charged with manufacture, delivery, or sale of Schedule II narcotics and driving while in possession of methamphetamine. The vehicle was towed, and the suspected narcotics were logged as evidence for testing by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). The incident, captured on Deputy Richardson’s body camera, remains under investigation, with Deputies Richardson and Leary on scene and Investigator Wirey notified.

Related Posts

UPCOMING EVENTS
Current Month

KITE DAY AT CUMBERLAND MOUNTAIN STATE PARK; FREE KITES AND LUNCHCumberland Mountain State Park2025sat29mar10:00 am10:00 am

View More
CONTACT INFORMATION

3B Media
105.7 The HOG / Spirit 101.9/ 93.3 The Ranch
94.1 The VIBE / 98.9 The WOLF
37 South Drive
Crossville, TN 38555

Phone: 931-484-1057
Fax: 931-707-0580

SEND EMAIL
  • Open Weekdays M-F 9:00-5:00