Stolen Gun Shows Up At Pawn Shop

The Newport Police department is investigating after a stolen handgun showed up at a pawn shop in Newport. Fred Bryson, Jr. told the sheriff’s office he attempted to pawn a Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm handgun at Dixie Pawn Shop on Cosby Hwy. That firearm came back flagged by the TBI as a stolen weapon,. Bryson stated that he bought the weapon back on September 23, 2023 form a Lora Galea for $450.00 and paid for it thru cash app. A check with records at the Cocke County Sheriff’s office showed that Lora Galea had filed a report with the Sheriff’s office back on 3/3/23 stating the gun was stolen in January of that year.