Repeat Drug Dealer Caught with Meth and Handgun

DA Charme Allen announces that prosecutors in the Felony Drug Unit obtained convictions against a repeat drug dealer caught with methamphetamine and a handgun.  Dewayne Edwin Winslow, 35, was convicted of Possession with Intent to Sell Methamphetamine, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon.  Judge Steve Sword set the case for sentencing on January 10 where Winslow faces a minimum of seventeen years in prison.

In a two-day trial, Assistant District Attorneys Greg Eshbaugh and Marissa Pecora explained to the jury that on December 8, 2023, Knoxville Police Department Officer Gordon Johnson conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Winslow at the intersection of Cherry Street and Washington Avenue.  A police K9 alerted to the odor of drugs coming from the vehicle.  Officers located a small amount of marijuana and a loaded .380 caliber handgun inside the car.  After searching Winslow, officers also located twelve grams of methamphetamine in his pants.  Winslow was on probation at the time for a different methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine resale case.

“While overdose deaths are down compared to last year, there is still more work to be done, especially when it comes to repeat drug traffickers,” said DA Allen.

Winslow’s probation in his previous case was revoked, and he is now serving a ten-year prison sentence.  Because of his prior convictions, he is facing a sentence of twelve to twenty years on the methamphetamine count with five years consecutive on the firearm count.  Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator Tracee Smith aided in the prosecution of this case.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.