An accused marijuana dealer’s loud stereo led to his arrest Tuesday night in one of Nashville’s Drug Free Zones, meaning Donald Cockrill could have to serve 100% of any sentence he receives for a felony conviction.
Hermitage Precinct Officer Thomas Spence stopped Cockrill, 27, of Lawncrest Drive, at 8:30 p.m. for playing the stereo in his 1978 Buick too loud. Cockrill pulled over in the 4000 block of Lebanon Pike, which is within 1,000 feet of Dupont-Tyler Middle School. Officer Spence saw that Cockrill had marijuana flakes in plain view on his lap. A subsequent search of Cockrill and the car revealed more than one-half pound of marijuana, plastic baggies, a digital scale, ten Xanax bars, and a nine-millimeter semi-automatic pistol loaded with ten rounds.
Cockrill is charged with possession of marijuana for resale, possession of Xanax for resale, unlawful gun possession, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
A recent opinion by Tennessee’s Attorney General found that felony drug offenses committed within 1,000 feet of a Drug Free Zone require that the sentence be served at 100% without probation or parole. Drug Free Zones include a 1,000- foot perimeter from the boundary of all public and private schools, public and private preschools, public and private childcare centers/agencies, public parks, and public recreation centers.
Chief Ronal Serpas has urged officers to charge drug defendants with violating Drug Free Zone perimeters whenever possible.
“Recidivism among drug suspects is a significant issue impacting the safety of our neighborhoods,” Serpas said. “Half of the drug defendants we arrest have at least one prior drug conviction. The finding of the Attorney General gives the justice system another tool to keep those who shun rehabilitation in prison longer.” Cockrill was convicted of a drug offense in 2002 and was ordered to serve six months of a one year sentence. His bond on the latest charges was set at $37,000.
Donald Cockrill
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