Drug Dealer Convicted after Passing out and Crashing into Garage

DA Charme Allen announces that prosecutors in the Career Gang Unit obtained convictions against a man who was found in possession of methamphetamine after passing out and crashing his car into a garage.  Jeremiah Shannon Mills, 33, was convicted of Possession with Intent to Sell Methamphetamine, Driving Under the Influence, and Reckless Endangerment.  Judge Scott Green set the case for sentencing on February 28 where Mills faces twelve to twenty years in prison.

In a two-day trial, Assistant District Attorneys TaKisha Fitzgerald and Marissa Pecora explained to the jury that on May 8, 2024, Knoxville Police Department Officer Christopher McCurry responded to a call that a vehicle had driven off the road and struck a garage at a house on Orangewood Road.  At the scene, Ofc. McCurry found Mills unresponsive in the driver’s seat of the vehicle.  Mills regained consciousness after being given multiple doses of naloxone.  Mills initially stated that did not consume drugs.  Officers saw a bag laying at Mills’ feet containing thirty-three grams of methamphetamine and another small bag of fentanyl.

“Part of the decrease in overdose deaths is due to taking both the drugs and the dealers off the streets,” said DA Allen.

Mills has three prior felony convictions for drug dealing, weapons, and tampering with evidence offenses. Possession with Intent to Sell Methamphetamine is a Class B felony that carries a punishment between twelve to twenty years.  The sentence in this case must run consecutive to another case because Mills was on parole when he committed this offense.  Mills has also been identified as a member of the Crips.  Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator Sheri Burkett 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.