State of Tennessee v. Kevin Dragg

The Defendant, Kevin Dragg, was convicted by a Knox County Criminal Court jury of possession of cocaine with intent to sell, deliver, or manufacture, a Class B felony; possession of a firearm with the intent to go armed during the commission of a dangerous felony, a Class D felony; unlawful possession of a firearm by a violent felon, a Class B felony; unlawful possession of a firearm after being convicted of a felony drug offense, a Class C felony; and possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class A misdemeanor. See T.C.A. §§ 39-17-417(a)(4), (c)(1) (Supp. 2021) (subsequently amended) (possession of cocaine), 39-17-1324(a) (Supp. 2021) (subsequently amended) (possession of a firearm with intent to go armed during the commission of a dangerous felony), 39-17-1307(b)(1), (2) (Supp. 2021) (subsequently amended) (possession of a firearm by a person who has been previously convicted of a felony crime of violence or a felony drug offense), 39-17-425 (2025) (possession of drug paraphernalia). The trial court imposed an effective twenty six-year sentence. On appeal, the Defendant contends that: (1) the trial court erred in denying the motion to suppress evidence obtained by bounty hunters who apprehended the Defendant for failing to appear on other charges; (2) the trial court erred in instructing the jury on the count of being a violent felon in possession of a firearm and that the evidence, when considered under a correct statement of the law, is insufficient to support this conviction; and (3) he is entitled to a new trial due to the combined effect of repeated prosecutorial misconduct. We affirm the judgments of the trial court.