Traffic Stop Leads To Drug Arrest

Tuesday afternoon, Cocke County police pulled over a vehicle that failed to stop at the intersection of Morrell Springs Road and Lincoln Avenue next to Union Cemetery. The driver was 37 year old Joseph Ashmore of Cosby. He had two warrants for his arrest…one in Cocke County and one in Sevier County. Ashmore gave verbal consent for Deputies to search the vehicle. During the search Ashmore had stated that there was methamphetamine in the center console…which deputies located. Deputies also located a black bag in the back seat, Ashmore stated the bag belonged to the passenger, 34 year old Elizabeth Preston of Newport. Preston stated that it was not her bag, but in the bag was a black box that had an EBT card with Preston’s name on it and a piece of paper with her child’s name. Inside the bag was a glass pipe, digital scale, and small baggies with white residue, Preston was placed into custody for possession of narcotic equipment…Ashmore was charged with possession of schedule II drugs.