A Sparta man who found himself in major trouble after a routine traffic stop in 2022 was sentenced last week in DeKalb Criminal Court. The man, pulled over for having a headlight out, was found to be in possession of firearms, drugs and a homemade explosive device.

Tuesday, June 20, Judge Wesley Bray sentenced 41-year-old Shane Daniel Gray to eight years and was fined $2,000. Gray pleaded guilty to possession with intent to sell or deliver over 0.5 grams of methamphetamine, possession of a homemade explosive device and firearm, evading arrest on June 27, 2021 in White County, possession of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) with intent to sell or deliver over 0.5 grams on May 18, 2022 in White County, and tampering with evidence on May 18, 2022 in White County. He was given jail credit for 532 days served from January 4, 2022 to June 20, 2023.

According to Sheriff Ray, on January 4, 2022, a deputy was patrolling Sparta Highway (Highway 70 East), when he observed the car traveling with a head light out. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, who was found to be Gray.

After checking the man’s driver license for validation, DeKalb Central Dispatch advised the deputy to use caution with the suspect due to him being wanted out of Warren County for reckless endangerment and evading arrest. The deputy was placed Gray under arrest, and Gray then advised that he had a handgun in his waist band. After Gray was taken into custody, the deputy conducted an inventory search of the vehicle.

While inventorying the car the deputy located a shotgun, a revolver and a homemade explosive device. There were also additional materials that could be used for making more explosives. The deputy also discovered approximately 100 grams of methamphetamine with a street value of $10,000, as well as 2.4 ounces of marijuana, several baggies, digital scales, and pipes. The deputy also seized $3,786 dollars in cash along with Gray’s Audi. There were also over 300 rounds of ammunition with the weapons.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol Bomb Squad was summoned to the scene to take custody of the explosive device, and destroyed the explosive device at the scene. The Smithville Fire Department and DeKalb County Emergency Medical Services were placed on standby due to the severity of the scene with the explosive device. The Smithville Police Department assisted in the case.