Motorist found with bomb last year gets 8-year sentence

June 21, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

A motorist found almost a year and a half ago with a bomb and other weapons along with drugs and a large amount of cash had his day of reckoning in DeKalb County Criminal Court Tuesday, June 20.

Judge Wesley Bray presided.

41-year-old Shane Daniel Gray received a total sentence of eight years and was fined $2,000 after entering a plea to possession with intent to sell or deliver over 0.5 grams of methamphetamine on January 4, 2022 in DeKalb County, possession of a homemade explosive device and firearm on January 4, 2022 in DeKalb County, 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.

In a prepared statement, Sheriff Patrick Ray said at the time concerning the DeKalb County case that “On January 4, 2022 while patrolling on Sparta Highway (Highway 70 east) a deputy observed a car traveling with a head light out. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, who was found to be Shane Gray. After checking the man’s driver license for validation, 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. While the deputy was placing Gray under arrest, Gray advised the deputy he had a handgun in his waist band. After Gray was taken into custody, the deputy conducted an inventory search of the vehicle and found a shotgun, revolver, and a homemade explosive device. There were 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; 2.4 ounces of marijuana along with several baggies, digital scales, and pipes. The officer further seized $3,786 dollars in cash and Gray’s 2002 Audi A5. There were over 300 rounds of ammunition with the weapons,” said Sheriff Ray.

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

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