KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. (Story courtesy of WVLT) — An altercation on the interstate led deputies with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office to an underground marijuana grow operation hidden beneath a residence, according to court records.
It started on May 11 around 6:51 p.m. when deputies were dispatched to the 8400 block of Old Rutledge Pike for reports of a domestic matter.
Records show a woman told deputies she and Jason Brooks were arguing while traveling on the interstate when she repeatedly asked to be let out of the vehicle after exiting onto Rutledge Pike. She told deputies he refused, cursed at her and continued driving while yelling and striking the steering wheel.
The woman said Brooks also sped up behind a tractor-trailer and said he was going to kill both of them before narrowly missing the truck. She told deputies she feared for her life and ran to a fire station on Old Rutledge Pike to call for help when the vehicle stopped.
According to court records, deputies listened to an audio recording of the man repeatedly refusing to let the woman out while making statements about killing them.
Deputies then attempted to make contact with Brooks, telling him multiple times to step outside. Records show Brooks tried to shut the door but deputies prevented the door from closing, and during the arrest, Brooks charged one of the deputies before being taken into custody.
The woman returned to the home after the arrest and told deputies there was marijuana inside the house and that she wanted it removed, according to court records.
Deputies contacted a narcotics investigator, and the woman gave consent to search the basement, removing boards from a basement wall to reveal a passage that led deeper underground.
Records show deputies entered and seized 31 marijuana plants and approximately 3,558 grams of processed marijuana in seven individual containers.
Brooks was transported to the Roger D. Wilson Detention Facility. He is facing charges of resisting arrest, two counts of aggravated assault, kidnapping, assault on a first responder, possession of marijuana and possession of unlawful drug paraphernalia uses and activities.
