High speed pursuit ends in arrest

Published 5:08 pm Thursday, February 14, 2019

A high-speed pursuit on Highway 63 landed two men in the Claiborne County Jail on Valentine’s Day.

Jeffery Drinnon Jr., 38, of Mooresburg, Tenn., and Adam Rhea, 32, of Morristown, Tenn., remain in the Claiborne County Jail with no bond on several drug charges, with other charges pending.

According to a press release from the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office, Sgt. DeWayne Napier observed a vehicle driving suspiciously on Back Valley Road in Speedwell. Napier attempted to stop the vehicle but the suspects refused to stop and led deputies on a high-speed pursuit, according to the report.

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The suspects led officers down Highway 63 and into Harrogate before they stopped on Highway 25.

Deputies reported recovering three pounds of marijuana, a small amount of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Drinnon has been charged with reckless driving, reckless endangerment, evading arrest, driving while suspended, felony possession of schedule VI drug, felony drug paraphernalia, drug-free school zone act, no seatbelt and no insurance, according to the report.

Rhea has been charged with possession of a firearm, felony possession of schedule VI drug, drug paraphernalia, drug-free school zone act, and aggravated assault on an officer times four, according to the report.