June 26, 2018
By: Dwayne Page
A suspected drug dealer has formally been charged with numerous offenses stemming from an early morning raid by local and state law enforcement officers at his home last Wednesday
29 year old Travis Eric Patterson of 253 Toad Road, Dowelltown has been charged from the raid with five counts of carrying or possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, one count of possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver methamphetamine, one count of possession of a schedule VI drug (marijuana), and one count of simple possession or casual exchange. In addition, Patterson is also charged with burglary, theft of property under $1,000, and vandalism as a result of a June 10 break-in at a business on Nashville Highway at Dowelltown in which a Mossberg 12 gauge shotgun was stolen valued at $375. Patterson also allegedly destroyed the door facing to the business during the break-in. His total bond is $168,500 and he will make a court appearance on July 12.
Patterson was taken into custody during the raid and initially held without bond in the DeKalb County Jail on a failure to appear warrant pending these new charges.
In a prepared statement, Sheriff Patrick Ray said that “early on Wednesday morning (6-20-18), officers with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, officers with the Tennessee Highway Patrol Special Operations Unit (SWAT), an agent with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and members of the 13th Judicial District Attorney General’s Office, executed a search warrant at the home of Travis Patterson”.
“The search warrant stems from the sale of illegal narcotics and the illegal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon”.
“Through their investigation, Sheriff’s Department Detectives found that Patterson, who is a convicted felon, was in possession of firearms at his home. As a safety precaution, the THP Special Operations Unit was summoned to assist in the search of the home. The THP Special Operations Unit made a forcible entry into the home after no one came to the door. Patterson finally gave himself up along with another male and female who were at the residence. No one was injured”.
“Upon searching Patterson’s residence, Sheriff’s Department officers found 15 grams of methamphetamine, 6 ounces of marijuana, an assortment of prescription pills, one rifle, two shotguns, three pistols, digital scales, glass pipes, and possible stolen power tools. Detectives also seized $427.00 in cash”.
The specific charges against Patterson are as follows:
*Simple possession or casual exchange- On June 20 a search warrant was executed at 253 Toad Road. Inside the residence were 2-1/2 xanax pills and other drug related items
*Possession of a schedule VI drug for resale- Under the residence were six ounces of marijuana. Digital scales, plastic baggies and other drug related items were also found at the residence
*Methamphetamine, manufacture, deliver, or sale-Inside the residence were 15 grams of methamphetamine, digital scales, plastic baggies, and numerous other drug related items
*Carrying or possession of a weapon by a felon-Inside the residence was a Ruger 22 caliber handgun and other firearm related items at the residence. Patterson is a convicted felon for sale and delivery of a schedule III narcotic
*Carrying or possession of a weapon-Inside the residence was a double barrel 12 gauge shotgun
*Carrying or possession of a weapon-Inside the residence was a Bersa 380 caliber handgun
*Carrying or possession of a weapon-Inside the residence was an Archangel 7.52 caliber rifle
*Carrying or possession of a weapon- Inside the residence was a Lorcin 380 caliber handgun