A Roane County woman pleaded guilty in Cumberland County Criminal Court to possessing 300 grams or more of meth and received a 25-year prison sentence. Other defendants entered pleas in unrelated cases last week.
Brandi Rene Buckholtz, 48, Harriman, entered an information plea to the single charge and as a Range 1 offender, will serve the sentence at 30% with credit for 45 days already served. Buckholtz was originally charged with possession of 300 grams of meth or more with intent and driving while in possession of meth.
By pleading guilty to an information charging the single count of possession of 300 grams of meth or more for sale, Buckholtz by-passed any hearings and motions and presentation of evidence against her to the grand jury. The driving while in possession charge was dropped.
Buckholtz was arrested March 22 on I-40 at the 320 mile marker by CCSO Deputy Blake Richardson after he stalled a Toyota Corolla for failure to maintain lane of travel, crossing over the fog line several times while traveling east.
During the traffic stop, Buckholtz was found in possession of 13.1 ounces of meth in three separate clear plastic bags stuffed in a grocery bag. Buckholtz has been in custody since her March 22 arrest, unable to post $350,000 bond.
Facing a Class A felony with a range of 15-60 years in prison, Buckholtz opted to enter the information plea May 6 before Criminal Court Judge Gary McKenzie.
In other cases on the docket, the following information pleas were entered:
•Ashley Shayan Garren, 21, pleaded guilty to an information charging possession of less than .5 grams of meth for sale and received a four-year suspended sentence to be served on supervised probation. She is being given credit for 15 days served in jail since her April 21 arrest and fine and court costs were waived.
•Adam Leroy Phillips, 51, pleaded guilty to an information charging burglary and received a three-year suspended sentence to be served on supervised probation. A restraining order barring contact with the victim was issued and the Range 1, 30%, sentence is to be served concurrent with a Putnam County sentence. He is being given credit for 541 days already served in jail.
A hearing to determine restitution of not more than $4,266 will be held if an agreement is not reached on what is owed. The charge stems from an April 27, 2021, arrest.
•Michael Albert Trussel, 34, pleaded guilty to an information charging felon in possession of a firearm and received a one-year suspended sentence to be served on supervised probation as a Range 1 offender. He is to pay clerk’s fee. The charge stems from an Oct. 5, 2024, arrest.
•Charles Christopher White, 53, pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence, violation of the sex offender registry law and two counts of driving under the influence. He received a six-year sentence as a Range 1 offender and a sentencing hearing will be held to determine how that sentence will be served. White was fined $350 on one of the DUI charges.
Offense dates for the tampering charge was May 21, 2024, June 26, 2024 on the sex offender registry violation, Dec. 15, 2024, one one DUI and April 1, 2025 on the second DUI.