A South precinct officer made quite a discovery when he pulled over an SUV that failed to use a turn signal — it's driver was a convicted killer with a car full of drugs and a loaded gun, Metro police said.
Detective Garry Gann stopped a 1993 GMC Yukon in the 4500 block of Nolensville Pike just after 4:30 p.m. When he ran the license of the driver, Jerry Rubin Ellis, Jr., 36, Gann learned it had been revoked. Ellis, who was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in 1993 and aggravated assault in 1997, consented to Gann's request to search the car's interior, police said.
Gann found two separate baggies of marijuana weighing nearly 15 grams, a .25 caliber pistol loaded with five rounds, a digital scale and an empty baggie containing cocaine residue concealed in a center console underneath the cup holders, police said.
Both Ellis and his passenger, parolee Lindell Ronald Graves, 37, of Madison, initially denied ownership of the gun and marijuana, but after further questioning Ellis allegedly admitted the weapon and drugs were his, police said. Ellis further admitted that when he was stopped by Gann he was on his way to pick up one-half ounce of cocaine which he intended to resell, police said.
Ellis is charged with firearm possession by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana for resale, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving on a revoked license and driving with an open can of beer, according to police.
Graves, who has a history of felony drug and assault convictions, was caught with four grams of marijuana hidden in his groin area after he arrived in the booking room, police said. He is charged with introducing contraband into a penal facility, evidence tampering, possession of drug paraphernalia and marijuana possession.
Federal firearms charges are being considered in this case.