A Dresden man is facing drug, gun and theft charges after Dresden police said they caught him riding in a car with marijuana, methamphetamine and a stolen shotgun.

Arrested was Jason Lee Sawyers, 31, of 855 Highway 118 D. He is charged with possession of Schedule II and IV narcotics, drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of a weapon, theft of property, criminal impersonation and violation of probation.

The driver of the car was also arrested. Thomas Edward Allen, 42, of 238 Jowers St. in Martin, is charged with Schedule II drug violations, theft of property and violation of the seat belt law.

The incident began Sunday when Dresden police officer Gary Eddings stopped a 4-door Buick on Pikeville Street because he noticed the driver wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, according to an affidavit.

While speaking to Allen, the driver of the car, Eddings noticed the passenger appeared to be trying to cover something with a jacket, according to the report.

Eddings then moved to the other side of the car to speak with the passenger, and Sawyers gave a false name and Social Security number, the report said. 

During the conversation, Eddings noticed a shotgun laying beside Sawyers, the report said. Eddings ran the shotgun’s serial number and it came back stolen from Hamilton County.

Sawyers was arrested for the stolen firearm and admitted to initially giving Eddings a false name, the report said. Sawyers said he had several outstanding warrants.

Sawyers admitted to being a convicted felon, and during a pat down a glass smoking pipe was found in the pocket of the jacket he was wearing, according to the report.

The jacket Sawyers had tried to cover the shotgun with belonged to Allen, the report said. In the pocket of Allen’s jacket, a glass bottle was found containing 1.7 grams of marijuana, but Sawyers said it was his marijuana.

Also found in the car was .3 grams of methamphetamine, but Sawyers said it wasn’t his, the report said.

Published in The WCP 2.7.13