Two Arrested After Allegedly Arriving At Gas Pumps With Open Alcohol Containers Next To Deputies

Darren Doyle, story:
Two Tennessee residents are facing drug trafficking and alcohol-related charges after deputies say they saw them with open alcoholic beverages in the vehicle they were in when they pulled up beside law enforcement at local gas pumps on Saturday.

According to the Edmonson County Sheriff's Office, deputies stopped at Z-Mart in Sweeden to fuel their patrol vehicles around 3:30PM on June 18, 2022 when they saw a vehicle at the pumps with two individuals with open alcohol containers.

The Sheriff's Office identified the occupants as Stanley Harvel (52) of Milan, TN and Nyla O. Sharpe (19) of Memphis, TN. According to the Sheriff's Office, while deputies were conducting a probable cause search for alcoholic containers, they discovered drug paraphernalia related to marijuana use inside the vehicle. Further search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of a locked floor safe containing multiple bags of sealed marijuana and suspected Hydrocodone pills (in a prescription bottle that did not belong to Harvel or Sharpe).

Both Harvel and Sharpe were arrested and charged with:

• Trafficking in Marijuana (less than 8 oz)—1st offense
• Trafficking in Controlled Substance, 1st Degree/1st Offense (> or = 10 Drug Unspecified)
• Drug Paraphernalia—Buy/Possess
• Alcohol Intoxication in a Public Place (1st and 2nd Offense)
• Possession of Open Alcoholic Beverage Container in Motor Vehicle Prohibited

Both were lodged in Hart County Jail.