According to accounts, a man from Tennessee was taken into custody on Saturday after he was allegedly found in possession of meth and operating a tractor-train intended to transport kids while under the influence.
When the conductor, identified as 40-year-old Henry Meade, started acting strangely, a number of individuals, including Tazewell Police Department officers, turned their attention to “Santa’s Train,” according to ABC station WATE.
Mead was operating a riding lawnmower that had been modified to function as a train capable of towing two carts behind it, according to the Tazewell Police Department.
The train was meant to provide rides to families during Tazewell’s Main Street Christmas Tractor Parade.
Meade was apparently shaky on his feet when the officers approached him.
Meade was found to be intoxicated after more investigation, according to the police. After he was apprehended, a search revealed that he had methamphetamine, a syringe, and other drugs on him.
Meade is accused of driving under the influence and possessing methamphetamine, drugs, and drug paraphernalia.
He was taken into the Claiborne County Jail and remained there as of Thursday.
The event that occurred on Saturday night was addressed by the Tazewell Police Department and the mayor of the city, Bill Fannon, in a Facebook post.
“It is important to clarify that vendor hiring is not under the city’s jurisdiction. Vendors are independently contracted, and their selection is not managed by the city,” the statement read. “Despite this, the Tazewell Police Department responded swiftly to the incident, ensuring the safety of event attendees. The rapid action taken by our law enforcement underscores our commitment to public safety.”
According to the police department, public safety was the top priority as always, and there were fourteen policemen on foot keeping an eye on the thousands of guests.
“It is unfortunate, but the police officers did their job and protected everyone involved,” the officials said.
