[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",5973651,"mediaKeyId","5837510-dba4c52256ce3b0e6ea6a4f78116815c","parentId",5837510,"title","Agent testifies at suppression hearing after interstate stop that led to large meth seizure","audioSeconds",2832,"startMs",13924000,"endMs",16756000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5837510-dba4c52256ce3b0e6ea6a4f78116815c&start=13924&end=16756","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5837510-dba4c52256ce3b0e6ea6a4f78116815c/thumbnail_13924000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5973651/Tennessee/Agent-testifies-at-suppression-hearing-after-interstate-stop-that-led-to-large-meth-seizure","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973651-abfcad8217659068c9dcf3edf98a7628/orig.mp4?Expires=1770514229&Signature=Nm2pl8G4GlW1QKSilyFQ7tHmsnQsAuh4hXl6fdQXCaw~l9Lqmqm3XVORGxYOH0fmg395wHHLuWxrAjE3Q9yjoFgBnbGUzn~pRV3dtdCcdtHAzYBAa~UNWfOZQCarzreR7BGysTYjrBuZCeDvi5S2ecYNoIHySkm6ZAWB-gLvwCpufPb1hyi9E1Lzac8EEY7Ci5ip61V2yLSvBL130PDRxCyMWG~SegHBpJTn3CXpxYcCPa4c2cfzuU23hRVigBMAU9rb0jfPtr6uiz4M4SAuXdkMQqi~DupgcEV~mR9wvL6bznARMNqYwk2BFckHVOOYhvkG48vvipGdgaoDVX2iwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Judge David D. Wolfe State of Tennessee","date","2025-09-26T00:00:00Z","article","An interdiction agent testified at a suppression hearing about an interstate traffic stop that led to the seizure of approximately two pounds of methamphetamine, a firearm and other items.

Kevin Salewsky, an agent with the 20th Judicial District Drug Task Force, said he stopped the vehicle on I‑40 after repeatedly observing the car travel near or across lane lines and because the vehicle’s window tint appeared extremely dark. Salewsky told the court that when he approached the vehicle he immediately smelled marijuana and observed the passenger behave with “abnormal” nervousness. He directed the driver, later identified as Jeffrey \"Ty\" Hicks, to sit in his patrol vehicle while he continued the stop.

Salewsky said his in‑car video did not capture the 20–30 seconds before he activated the recorder; he testified the unit went straight to audio when he hit the button. The agent also said his external microphone malfunctioned and therefore there was no recorded audio of his outside conversation. Portions of the in‑car video were played in court.

During the stop the driver admitted there was a “blunt” in the ashtray; Salewsky said he smelled marijuana and that the passenger’s behavior increased his concern for officer safety. Salewsky testified that, while speaking with another agent at the scene, he opened the glove compartment and found a large bag of methamphetamine; he described the recovered meth as “close to two pounds,” a firearm hidden under the center console and Xanax bars.

Defense counsel argued the stop was prolonged and that the in‑car camera failed to capture key pre‑stop footage. The defense sought suppression of evidence on the grounds that the prolonged encounter exceeded the scope of a lawful traffic stop and that parts of the video were missing or defective. The defense also argued the odor of marijuana alone is not an automatic basis for probable cause in every jurisdiction; the agent relied on his training to justify the search.

The state responded that the odor, admissions and passenger behavior provided probable cause to search. The court allowed testimony about the stop and admitted photographs of the vehicle and the tint meter reading (the agent testified the meter showed 3% tint). The agent also identified a Miranda‑waiver form signed after the suspects were taken into custody.

The hearing record contains testimony about the arrest process, the dash camera recording limitations and the contents seized from the vehicle. The court heard argument and reviewed the video portions admitted into evidence. The judge took the matter under advisement; no suppression ruling was announced at the close of the state’s proof.

The hearing included cross‑examination and objections concerning the foundation for some testimony and the admissibility of missing portions of recorded footage. Both sides previewed legal arguments that would inform the court’s eventual ruling on whether the seized evidence was lawfully obtained.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","9-26-25 Dickson Criminal Docket (Cheatham Sentencing - Curtis Daye)","oneSentenceSummary","An interdiction agent told a judge he stopped a vehicle on I‑40 for lane travel and window‑tint concerns, smelled marijuana and observed nervous behavior before finding nearly two pounds of meth and a firearm during a subsequent search.","taxTitle","Judge David D. Wolfe State of Tennessee, Judicial, Tennessee","taxId",66321,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5973656,"Judge orders briefing after hearing on warrantless cell‑ping in Sheets case",2189,5709000,7898000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5837510-dba4c52256ce3b0e6ea6a4f78116815c&start=5709&end=7898","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5837510-dba4c52256ce3b0e6ea6a4f78116815c/thumbnail_5709000.jpg","/articles/5973656/Tennessee/Judge-orders-briefing-after-hearing-on-warrantless-cellping-in-Sheets-case","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973656-142797d5e9b443608a8ea6cd4a8f11dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770514229&Signature=fG1SoxTiIKy3wN6sxAsKVq3Hj1XhbaDZymVOELx37QFbXlGdPsnMmvAti8bsywaF6cYQ0kX~HKYbeKk67dL9ScHBO9LeFhseBEYFTq-5Jt1AnDZfQKQ46n7B7PgOdjpCBRQ2QCIDIZJY9fU2jtGGhn93PcSIfdzEF5y6wLOEwIU9ABM9pkUL-PSgLgMZyGPKZwoi7fQN50yuDVCgvdudpM-4hwgUX9ibAeHu4fULShOEWuYGzM-ziVz~ZvTOeIMoZW3cwYBGbhzNFToeTQVpFSymS8HjAGKbqHmwSa~IFGNArLUbu13dBkqfxATlSjbGqOZ1GKsaLoFSSjpJi9c-Xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A judge on Monday heard testimony in State v. Danny (Danny) Sheets on a motion to suppress location information obtained by law enforcement without a warrant. The hearing focused on whether officers had exigent circumstances to request a cell‑site location “ping” and whether the defendant — who was on probation at the time — has standing to challenge that procedure.

Officer Jessica Shope of the Dixon Police Department testified she contacted prosecutors and requested a phone‑location ping on Aug. 5 after the alleged victim, Christina Mateo, reported a call from Sheets and told officers he had previously shown up at her home despite a no‑contact condition. Shope said she believed Sheets posed a risk to the woman’s safety and that time was of the essence. The officer said central dispatch relayed coordinates (latitude/longitude with a radius, in meters) to law‑enforcement partners; Tennessee Highway Patrol and other agencies then acted on that information and took Sheets into custody.

Defense counsel argued the U.S. Supreme Court’s Carpenter v. United States decision protects an individual’s cell‑site location information (CSLI) under the Fourth Amendment and that, absent a warrant, the state must show an exception applies. Prosecutors defended the ping as legal under exigent‑circumstances and active‑pursuit exceptions and argued the defendant’s probation status diminished his privacy rights.

Officer Shope acknowledged she did not independently confirm whether a search warrant could have been obtained in the time available and said she acted quickly because the defendant had (1) an active warrant, (2) a pattern of returning to the alleged victim’s house after law‑enforcement warnings, and (3) an unknown location after contacts suggested he might be moving toward the victim. Shope also said she relayed the ping to local partners and that troopers executed an arrest and later obtained a search warrant for the vehicle; evidence seized after the arrest included the defendant’s phone, clothing and other items, she said.

Defense counsel argued the state had time to get a warrant while using patrols to protect the alleged victim. The defense also raised standing: because Sheets was on probation, his privacy interest may be diminished, and an argument over whether his probation order contained a waiver of the right to contest such searches could moot the suppression claim.

The judge ordered the parties to brief whether probation conditions or the probation order itself altered Sheets’s Fourth Amendment standing, and gave the defense 15 days to file, with 15 days for the state to respond. The court said it would rule after reviewing those filings.

Authorities discussed: the hearing referenced Carpenter v. United States and the Tennessee statutory framework governing searches and probation conditions. The judge reserved ruling pending the requested briefing and supporting authorities.

The hearing record will determine whether evidence seized after the ping, and any derivative evidence, is admissible at trial.","In a suppression hearing in a stalking case, a Dixon-area officer described using a warrantless cell‑site location ping to find a defendant after reported contact with a protected person. The court allowed briefing on whether the defendant’s probation status limits his ability to contest the warrantless ping and set a briefing schedule.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5973662,"Judge sentences Curtis Day to 22 years in death of Jordan Knight",3620,949000,4569000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5837510-dba4c52256ce3b0e6ea6a4f78116815c&start=949&end=4569","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5837510-dba4c52256ce3b0e6ea6a4f78116815c/thumbnail_949000.jpg","/articles/5973662/Tennessee/Judge-sentences-Curtis-Day-to-22-years-in-death-of-Jordan-Knight","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973662-bf01e14291b0eb10734b44a3cd814235/orig.mp4?Expires=1770514229&Signature=Eu5~R4OCFV0fYArhWYhQFAeXSrHyRLsF0pcwYvfu4P3BLNMHGWOtocV3sl~NP8MWpR90kTxT7ZzZI9pw8fFDWpdHUPNzi8Ujo7aB4tKQwSqI2-sL6U7tibQuxahycDsAPxEMUbOZkYVmATdW~TQo-ctzZwu2~rIH1xnnwNMgcoLkRsWasohaXw89US9tNq4iHRBFOQbQV4A8pmW5q3AV~zNH8pdBSlDn8WmuqS~mUJKAgtjWLqLJLBqYpF-RXsqXjJhycKjJV78ycsEwaOwIe7HTVmaspjFpXyu0mSUz4sr4Hc~igsTlmNjLhSuQon0lrdx-wunfle2O~oehI03MwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Cheatham County judge on Monday sentenced Curtis Dale Day to 22 years in the Tennessee Department of Corrections after a jury convicted him of second-degree murder in the October 2020 death of Jordan Knight. Day, a range I offender under state sentencing law, will serve the sentence without early-release credits tied to the statute under which he was convicted, the court said.

The judge said the sentence — higher than the 15-year minimum for a range I offender but below the statutory maximum — balanced enhancement factors the state urged and mitigating evidence raised by the defense. \"I hereby sentence him to 22 years in the Tennessee Department of Corrections,\" the judge said during the sentencing hearing.

The victim’s mother, Penny Allen Williamson, gave a victim impact statement, describing Jordan Knight as “a loving father, brother, and son,” and saying her family received a “life sentence of sadness” after his death. Williamson told the court she forgave Day but asked the judge to consider the loss suffered by her family and others who loved Knight.

Probation and courts staff presented a presentence report prepared by Wendy James of the Tennessee Department of Correction, Probation and Parole. James told the court she interviewed Day and recorded his account that he sold methamphetamine but denied selling the drugs that later killed the victim. The pre-sentence report also listed Day’s federal convictions: four separate methamphetamine counts with offense dates in 2022, each carrying five-year terms that were imposed to run concurrently. The report rated Day as a “moderate” risk to reoffend and recommended programming such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, substance-abuse and mental-health treatment.

Lieutenant Shannon Heflin, who led a portion of the original investigation, testified about controlled buys worked with a confidential source and FBI agents at Day’s Davidson County residence, describing four recorded purchases of crystal meth tied to the federal convictions. Heflin said items seized in the federal investigation were turned over to the FBI and she could not confirm whether lab testing later showed the presence of fentanyl in those samples.

At sentencing the state asked the court to apply three enhancement factors under Tennessee law, including Day’s history of criminal convictions, the claim he acted as a leader in an offense involving multiple actors, and that he “had no hesitation about committing a crime when the risk to human life was high.” Prosecutor General Crouch argued that the combination of methamphetamine and fentanyl sales creates a “very high risk to human life” and urged the court to give significant weight to that point.

Defense counsel Michael Atchison urged the judge to impose the statutory minimum of 15 years, citing Day’s limited criminal history relative to his early-life employment, evidence of substance use and mental health issues, vocational certificates Day obtained while incarcerated and family support. Atchison said the mitigating factors outweighed the aggravating factors and that a 15-year term would provide punishment and opportunity for rehabilitation.

The judge said he found the evidence of Day’s leadership in distribution and the continuation of sales after the victim’s death weighed heavily as enhancement factors but expressed uncertainty about treating the 2022 federal convictions as prior convictions because their offense dates post‑date the murder. The judge nevertheless assigned “great weight” to the leadership and risk-to-life enhancement factors and sentenced Day to 22 years. The judge noted the statute under which Day was convicted requires service of the full term as imposed.

The hearing included statements from family members on both sides. Isaac Tanksley Jr., Day’s uncle, told the court Day had struggled for years with addiction but had family support and vocational efforts to rebuild his life. Day addressed the court directly, apologized to Knight’s family, accepted responsibility for his part in what happened and said he had completed trade coursework while incarcerated and wanted to be productive after release.

The court remanded Day to the Department of Corrections to begin serving the sentence. The judge closed by acknowledging the “devastating” effects of addiction on families and saying the sentence sought to balance punishment, deterrence and public safety.

The matter concluded with the court’s clerk handling administrative steps to process Day’s commitment to state custody.

Sources: court proceedings, victim impact statement and presentence report.","A Cheatham County judge on Monday sentenced Curtis Dale Day to 22 years in state prison after a jury convicted him of second-degree murder in the 2020 death of Jordan Knight. The court heard a victim impact statement and reviewed a presentence report and witness testimony about controlled drug buys tied to the case.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5973645,"Judge sets $250,000 bond, GPS monitoring for man charged in 2010 killing",3963,18511000,22474000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5837510-dba4c52256ce3b0e6ea6a4f78116815c&start=18511&end=22474","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5837510-dba4c52256ce3b0e6ea6a4f78116815c/thumbnail_18511000.jpg","/articles/5973645/Tennessee/Judge-sets-250000-bond-GPS-monitoring-for-man-charged-in-2010-killing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973645-7b986227bbd302b2b5111ade930407c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770514229&Signature=kMy017t-pmYhH~QhI9eqw-F6uqQh2I9pbPh4ODKoXVjtXrGzEu--oNa-G1Z~kUhDyYP0KiUA3G7uOieKr-B7DiDzj4tu8QmsmyHq89t5qh7RAChTtx8Q8v~B1esPbhfAYM75twAtkAUR1fqzOum~RtS7O9Srwq2t~tb7hjIMBYvIZ6UfPCg9niUd56spwkiI1vTWYVLEFjCOlm~~B6cQf4fEQpUIKh-kLFo6d4waqxQyCqmoqDBa7VAzUY5C~ZNkjevRYOClFj4w7iEfqV51eYwWZHFoLd0IdPGQBOcu4gW4rFp1Oujz~z2V7sUahDFgX6hLoQA209aMalzntsEzYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A judge on Monday set bond at $250,000 and imposed GPS monitoring and no‑contact restrictions for Landon Eugene Gray, who was arraigned on a first‑degree murder charge arising from the 2010 death of a man found shot and burned in a pickup truck.

The court reviewed Gray’s criminal history, multiple defense witnesses who vouched for his character and steady employment, and prosecution points about prior convictions that include felony offenses and prior probation revocations. The judge cited state bond‑setting criteria and noted the seriousness of the charged offense, the defendant’s lengthy record and the inconsistencies in the defendant’s statements to investigators when explaining the reasons for the bond level.

Gray’s father, Ronnie Mallory, and Michelle McCaleb, the mother of two of Gray’s children, both testified on his behalf, telling the court Gray has deep community ties, multiple children and a job awaiting him if he is released. McCaleb said Gray has been a father to her children and has lived in the area; Mallory described family history and urged that Gray would be a reliable appearance risk.

Investigators testified the case is a long‑running cold case that was re‑examined in 2020; Sergeant Kirk Davidson described the victim’s body as recovered burned in a Dodge pickup and said the medical examiner found bullet wounds. Davidson testified Gray gave multiple statements over the years that placed him at the scene; in a later interview Gray told investigators he saw another person shoot the victim, and described a transfer of the firearm in a way that the prosecution says supports the charge.

The judge weighed statutory factors — length of residence, employment, family ties, criminal history, risk of willful flight and the apparent likelihood of conviction — and concluded the nature of the charge and the defendant’s earlier violent convictions counseled a significant bond. The judge ordered GPS monitoring and restricted the defendant’s movement to home, work and attorney meetings; the court set a status date in January and signed an order containing the GPS, no‑contact and travel conditions.

Defense counsel asked for a lower bond and argued Gray has lived in the area for years, has steady employment and that two family members were prepared to vouch and provide residence. The prosecutor emphasized the seriousness of the offense, Gray’s past felony convictions (including convictions for weapons and drug offenses and at least one revoked probation) and the strength of the state’s evidence that the defendant was at or near the scene in 2010.

The judge said the totality of the record supported setting bond at $250,000 to reasonably assure Gray’s appearance and protect the public, and added the GPS condition to ensure location monitoring if bond is posted. The court ordered the clerk to prepare a written order with the GPS and movement restrictions.","A judge set a $250,000 bond and ordered GPS monitoring and no‑contact conditions for Landon Eugene Gray, who was arraigned this term on a murder charge in a 2010 death. The court weighed the defendant’s lengthy criminal history against testimony that he has close family ties and a waiting job.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Agent testifies at suppression hearing after interstate stop that led to large meth seizure

Judge orders briefing after hearing on warrantless cell‑ping in Sheets case

Judge sentences Curtis Day to 22 years in death of Jordan Knight

Judge sets $250,000 bond, GPS monitoring for man charged in 2010 killing