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TRAFFIC STOP ON I-40 LEADS TO MAJOR DRUG SEIZURE AND FOUR ARRESTS
PUTNAM COUNTY, TN— On July 6, 2026, Deputy Bryan conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 40
Eastbound on after observing a White Chevrolet Traverse commit two traffic violations.
As Deputy Bryan made contact with the occupants, he observed three adult passengers and a 5-year-old
child inside the vehicle. The child, whose mother was driving, was not properly secured in an
appropriate car seat. Due to the number of occupants and improper seating arrangements, all occupants
were asked to exit the vehicle.
During the investigation, Deputies determined that two of the occupants were suspects in a 3-month-
long narcotics investigation being conducted by the Overton County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee
Bureau of Investigation.
Deputies located a broken glass pipe in one passenger’s pocket, and two additional occupants were
found to also be in possession of drug paraphernalia.
K9 Deputy Reed deployed K9 Tuco to conduct a free-air sniff round the vehicle. K9 Tuco gave a
positive alert to the odor of illegal narcotics.
A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of approximately 40.8 grams of Methamphetamine,
approximately 8.4 grams of fentanyl, and approximately 3.5 grams of an unknown powdery substance.
All four occupants were taken into custody. A family member responded to the scene to retrieve the
child.
Sheriff Farris said, “Drug trafficking doesn’t stop at county lines, and neither does our commitment to
stopping it. By closely working with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Overton County
Sheriff’s Office, we were able to remove a significant amount of illegal narcotics off our streets. These
partnerships make all of our communities safer.”
Kirsten Murdock, the driver of the vehicle, was arrested and charged with Manufacture, Delivery, Sell
of Fentanyl, Manufacture, Delivery, Sell of Methamphetamine, Child Abuse, and Possession of Drug
Paraphernalia. She has a court date of August 10, 2026 and a bond set at $153, 000.
“Earning the Public’s Trust Every Day!”
** This Press Release is property of Sheriff Eddie Farris, any use of this release without authorization or consent
is strictly prohibited. **
Corey Howard was arrested and charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He has a court date of
August 10, 2026, and a bond set at $2,300.
Tazha Sidwell was arrested and upon intake at the Putnam County Jail it was discovered she was
concealing fentanyl in a body cavity. She was charged with Manufacture, Delivery, Sell of Fentanyl,
Tampering with Evidence, Introduction of Contraband into a Jail Facility, and Possession of Drug
Paraphernalia. Sidwell has a court date of August 10, 2026, and a bond set at
Christopher Walker was arrested and charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and 2
outstanding Violation of Probation warrants. He has a court date of August 10, 2026, and a bond set at
$2,300 and a hold without for his Violation of Probation.
Eastbound on after observing a White Chevrolet Traverse commit two traffic violations.
As Deputy Bryan made contact with the occupants, he observed three adult passengers and a 5-year-old
child inside the vehicle. The child, whose mother was driving, was not properly secured in an
appropriate car seat. Due to the number of occupants and improper seating arrangements, all occupants
were asked to exit the vehicle.
During the investigation, Deputies determined that two of the occupants were suspects in a 3-month-
long narcotics investigation being conducted by the Overton County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee
Bureau of Investigation.
Deputies located a broken glass pipe in one passenger’s pocket, and two additional occupants were
found to also be in possession of drug paraphernalia.
K9 Deputy Reed deployed K9 Tuco to conduct a free-air sniff round the vehicle. K9 Tuco gave a
positive alert to the odor of illegal narcotics.
A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of approximately 40.8 grams of Methamphetamine,
approximately 8.4 grams of fentanyl, and approximately 3.5 grams of an unknown powdery substance.
All four occupants were taken into custody. A family member responded to the scene to retrieve the
child.
Sheriff Farris said, “Drug trafficking doesn’t stop at county lines, and neither does our commitment to
stopping it. By closely working with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Overton County
Sheriff’s Office, we were able to remove a significant amount of illegal narcotics off our streets. These
partnerships make all of our communities safer.”
Kirsten Murdock, the driver of the vehicle, was arrested and charged with Manufacture, Delivery, Sell
of Fentanyl, Manufacture, Delivery, Sell of Methamphetamine, Child Abuse, and Possession of Drug
Paraphernalia. She has a court date of August 10, 2026 and a bond set at $153, 000.
“Earning the Public’s Trust Every Day!”
** This Press Release is property of Sheriff Eddie Farris, any use of this release without authorization or consent
is strictly prohibited. **
Corey Howard was arrested and charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He has a court date of
August 10, 2026, and a bond set at $2,300.
Tazha Sidwell was arrested and upon intake at the Putnam County Jail it was discovered she was
concealing fentanyl in a body cavity. She was charged with Manufacture, Delivery, Sell of Fentanyl,
Tampering with Evidence, Introduction of Contraband into a Jail Facility, and Possession of Drug
Paraphernalia. Sidwell has a court date of August 10, 2026, and a bond set at
Christopher Walker was arrested and charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and 2
outstanding Violation of Probation warrants. He has a court date of August 10, 2026, and a bond set at
$2,300 and a hold without for his Violation of Probation.
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