Opinion ID: 2982272
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: three encounters with the nashville police

Text: On November 23, 2009, Officer Barry Demonbreun of the Nashville Metropolitan Police Department visited a home on the east side of Nashville regarding a child abuse investigation. The house belonged to Defendant’s girlfriend, but it was Defendant who answered the door. Demonbreun could detect a strong smell of marijuana from the house and asked Defendant about No. 13-6000 it. Defendant admitted that he had smoked marijuana, but denied having any more drugs on the premises. He then voluntarily allowed Demonbreun to search the house—even telling Demonbreun where to focus his efforts. Despite Defendant’s earlier representation, Demonbreun ended up finding five handguns (two of which had been reported stolen); 3.7 ounces of marijuana; one ounce of cocaine; and approximately $11,000 in cash. Once Demonbreun had completed his search, he called Detective Joel Goodwin of the vice division. After talking with Goodwin, Defendant volunteered to act as an informant for the Nashville police. Defendant’s career as a police informant was brief. He wore a wire once in January 2010, and met with someone the Nashville police suspected of being a drug dealer. No sale took place, and Goodwin suspected that Defendant had not even arranged a transaction prior to the meeting. Several hours later, Goodwin was contacted by another Nashville police officer who had just spotted Defendant and suspected he was about to engage in a drug transaction. Goodwin instructed the officer to follow Defendant’s car. The officer pulled Defendant over a short time later after observing Defendant speeding and changing lanes rapidly. Defendant initially complied with the officer, but then attempted to flee on foot. While Defendant ran through a nearby field, officers saw him take a plastic bag out of his waistband and throw it away. That bag contained 44.9 grams of cocaine. Officers reapprehended Defendant and found $1500 in cash on his person. Once Goodwin arrived at the scene, Defendant told him that more drugs and guns could be found at Defendant’s nearby office. Goodwin and Defendant drove to the office, where Goodwin recovered two handguns, a box of ammunition, $11,000 in cash, 3.1 grams of cocaine, and digital scales and empty bags, all covered in white residue. Despite finding this contraband, Goodwin decided to give Defendant more time to assist the police. -2- No. 13-6000 Goodwin’s patience ran out on February 3, 2010. On that date, Office Demonbreun stopped a car for running a stop sign. Defendant was behind the wheel and recognized Demonbreun from the search in November 2009. Also familiar from November was the overwhelming smell of marijuana coming from the car. Demonbreun asked if Defendant had marijuana in the vehicle, and Defendant produced a small baggy from his trousers. Defendant also indicated that there was more marijuana hidden in the car—almost 2.5 kilograms. Demonbreun called Goodwin to ask what to do with Defendant; Goodwin was no longer willing to tolerate Defendant’s law-breaking. Defendant was arrested and charged by the state authorities with possession with intent to sell less than ten pounds of marijuana.