On Feb. 19, 2023, police in Franklin, TN pulled over the vehicle former Hootie & the Blowfish singer Darius Rucker was driving because the plates were expired. Afrter smelling marijuana, they searched the vehicle, Rucker's pick-up truck, and found a marijuana vape pen, a blunt and psilocybin mushroom capsules. However, he wasn't charged until December after tests of the products were done. Nearly a year after the initial arrest, on Feb. 1, Rucker turned himself in to Williamson County authorities.
This was revealed in an affidavit acquired by WZTV in Nashville. Here's how it all went down:
"According to an affidavit, Rucker was pulled over on Feb. 19, 2023 in Franklin. The affidavit states an officer observed a pickup truck on Murfreesboro Road and initiated a traffic stop due to the license plate being expired.
"The officer reported smelling marijuana in the vehicle. When asked, Rucker stated he had smoked in the vehicle previously, but hadn't that night. The officer asked Rucker when the last time he had smoked in the vehicle, Rucker responded 'probably yesterday.'
"When the officer conducted a probable cause search of the pickup he found a clear baggie containing multiple packaged items including 14 unstamped purple pills in a jar and a suspected black THC pen, among other items. The officer said Rucker stated his girlfriend gave him the items and he did not know what the purple pills were.
"According to the affidavit, the officer told Rucker he was going to pat him down. Rucker then said he had something to give to the officer and handed him a small marijuana blunt from his pocket. The officer asked if it was straight marijuana, Rucker said yes.
"Rucker was released at the scene, which is routine procedure for this type of offense, according to the Franklin Police Department.
"According to the affidavit, Rucker was not charged until Dec. 11, 2023, nearly a year after the initial traffic stop. The Franklin Police Department tells FOX 17 News the arrest was "delayed pending drug test results". The TBI said the agency issued findings to the Franklin Police Department on Aug. 10, 2023, month before Rucker was charged.
"The pills located in Rucker's truck were sent to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to be tested. They were identified as Psilocyn.
"Following the identification, Rucker was charged with simple possession, casual exchange and violation of registration law.
"He turned himself in on Thursday, and was released on $10,500 bond, according to the Williamson County Sheriff's Office."
Rucker's lawyer Mark Puryear of Puryear, Newman & Morton commented: "Darius Rucker is fully cooperating with authorities related to misdemeanor charges."
A court date for Rucker has been set for April 11.
According to NORML:
"Possession of a half ounce of marijuana or less is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and maximum fine of $2,500. A $250 fine is required for all first time convictions. A subsequent offense brings a $500 mandatory minimum fine."
Possession of psilocybin mushrooms in Tennessee is a misdemeanor that carries max penalites of one year in jail or fines of up to $2,500.
Since his success with Hootie & the Blowfish (their 1994 debut Cracked Rear Mirror sold 21 million albums), Rucker has transitioned ino a country-music singer; in 2013, he won the Grammy for Best Country Solo Performance for "Wagon Wheel."
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