A Knox County man will spend more than two decades behind bars after the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals upheld his 24-year prison sentence on Friday. The decision follows a legal battle over a cell phone search and the defendant’s extensive criminal history.
Todd Lee White was convicted of unlawful possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and resisting arrest. The case began in September 2022 when Knox County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at White’s trailer to serve a probation violation warrant. Investigators had received an anonymous tip that White was armed and selling drugs.
Forced Entry and the Hidden Sig Sauer
When deputies arrived, they heard movement inside but received no answer. After forcing entry, they found White in a bedroom. A struggle ensued when White refused to follow orders to get on the ground, leading to his arrest.
A subsequent search of the residence revealed approximately 147 grams of marijuana, digital scales, and a cell phone. Most notably, officers discovered a hole in the bedroom closet floor. Tucked underneath the trailer, they found a 9mm Sig Sauer semi-automatic pistol, three loaded magazines, and a holster…