Tennessee State Trooper Arrests Kentucky Fugitive in McMinn County

NASHVILLE --- Tennessee State Trooper Kevin Hoppe arrested a man wanted by Kentucky state authorities at a rest area in McMinn County on Saturday night, after discovering a mobile methamphetamine lab in the suspect’s vehicle.

Jeffrey Earl Seiber, 33, of Hohenwald, Tenn., was apprehended and transported to the McMinn County Jail. He was charged with being a fugitive from justice, felony initiation of methamphetamine, felony drug paraphernalia, driving under the influence (DUI - drugs) and violation of the registration law.  

Trooper Hoppe was patrolling the rest area on Interstate 75 southbound at mile marker 45, when he noticed a 1993 Toyota pickup truck with the driver’s side window busted out at the far end of the rest stop. Trooper Hoppe asked the driver, the lone occupant of the vehicle, if he needed any assistance. The driver then stated that he was looking for directions. 

As Trooper Hoppe positioned his patrol unit next to the suspect vehicle, he noticed the driver appeared intoxicated and attempted to hide something on the floor bed of the car. Further conversation also led to the detection of a chemical odor emitting from the vehicle. Meanwhile, Trooper Hoppe also discovered that the vehicle had an expired tag.

Additional questioning and several suspicious indicators prompted Trooper Hoppe to secure the suspect in his patrol unit. It was then discovered the suspect had active warrants out of Kentucky for a parole violation on an original charge of manufacturing methamphetamine. Trooper Hoppe proceeded to conduct a probable cause search of the vehicle, where he uncovered a needle on the driver’s side floorboard and components of a rolling meth lab.  

The Tennessee Methamphetamine Task Force out of Chattanooga was contacted and assumed responsibility of meth lab and paraphernalia upon their arrival.

Seiber was taken to the McMinn County jail, where he will await extradition from Kentucky authorities.

The vehicle was seized in accordance with state law.

Booking photos may be obtained from the McMinn County Sheriff’s Office.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s (www.TN.Gov/safety) mission is to ensure that our state is a safe, secure place in which to live, work and travel; enforce the law with integrity; and provide customer-focused services professionally and efficiently.