Jury convicts Robert L. Kaiser on firearm, paraphernalia, revoked‑license and seat‑belt charges

A jury in Stewart County Circuit Court found Robert L. Kaiser guilty on four counts on Nov. 14, 2024, following testimony and body‑cam footage shown at trial. The verdicts were guilty on unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, driving on a revoked license, unlawful use/possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to wear a safety belt.

The state’s case centered on a Nov. 14, 2021 traffic stop. Corporal Josh Miller of the Stewart County Sheriff’s Office testified that he stopped the green S‑10 Blazer for a seat‑belt violation, conducted a pat‑down that produced a glass pipe and a small bag of paraphernalia, and — after a secondary search — found a 9 mm Ruger pistol under the center console. Miller also testified that his body‑cam captured the encounter and the defendant’s remarks at the scene.

Prosecutors pointed to on‑scene statements captured on body‑cam in which, according to the video, the defendant said, “I’ll tell you how I got it,” and later said he thought a relative had stolen the firearm. The state argued those remarks and the physical evidence were sufficient for jurors to find the defendant knowingly, intentionally or recklessly possessed the weapon.

Defense counsel argued the state left critical gaps: the vehicle’s ownership was not established on the record, the firearm was found concealed in a console and no fingerprints were tested or entered as proof tying the gun directly to Kaiser, and paraphernalia items can have lawful uses. Counsel also urged jurors to apply the judge’s instructions on burden of proof and reasonable doubt.

A circuit court clerk identified a 2009 felony drug‑sale conviction for Kaiser that the state introduced to establish the prior‑conviction element required by the firearm charge. The court also addressed an evidentiary dispute over the admissibility of NCIC/computer printouts; after briefing and a brief recess the judge limited the use of NCIC as substantive proof in line with Tennessee precedent cited in court.

After closing arguments and the judge’s final instructions, the jury returned a unanimous verdict finding the defendant guilty on all counts. The court set a sentencing and status date for Aug. 10 and ordered a presentence report. The judge adjourned the session.

Quotes from the record used in this report include the defendant’s on‑scene statement captured on body‑cam — “I’ll tell you how I got it” — and the jury foreperson’s announcement of the verdict. All attributions to witnesses and counsel are drawn directly from the trial transcript and the court record. The court’s instructions and scheduling remarks conclude the reported proceedings.