A man had a charge dismissed after the evidence for the case was allegedly destroyed. 

Paul Willingham appeared in Circuit Court Wednesday morning. He was charged with simple possession of methamphetamine, simple possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. 

In 2018, Willingham was indicted for simple possession of methamphetamine. The indictment states Willingham, “On or about Dec. 23, 2017, in Warren County Tennessee, and before the finding of this indictment, knowingly did possess or casually exchange a schedule II controlled substance, to-wit: Methamphetamine, constituting the offense of simple possession of methamphetamine.” 

This misdemeanor charge was dismissed in Circuit Court. The evidence for this over six-year-old case was reportedly destroyed. 

Assistant District Attorney Felicia Walkup said, “That was a misdemeanor simple possession charge and it was actually the case we were looking at trying in terms of preparing for trial. Mr. Partin and I had a discussion concerning evidence, the drugs in question. This does have some age on it and we checked with the McMinnville City Police Department and though I don’t know exactly if it was a miscommunication or what, but the evidence had been destroyed already. At this point the state is going to enter a dismissal.” 

Despite that charge being dismissed, Willingham did receive a sentence for simple possession of marijuana. He received this charge in 2020. 

According to the affidavit of complaint, on April 20, 2020 Tennessee State Trooper Joseph VanBommel investigated a crash at the intersection of Hwy 56 and the U.S. 70S bypass. During this investigation, it was determined that one of the drivers was under the influence and was placed under arrest. Willingham was the intoxicated driver’s passenger. 

According to the report, while speaking with Willingham, he appeared under the influence and nervous, but consented to a search of his person. During the search, five white capsule-shaped pills, two orange oval-shaped pills, a small amount of green leafy substance believed to be marijuana and a cut ink pen with white powder reside were all located in Willingham’s pants pockets. Willingham reportedly admitted the pills were Oxycodone and the orange pills were believed to be Adderall. Willingham was issued a citation in lieu of arrest for simple possession of a schedule II and schedule VI drug and unlawful drug paraphernalia.

Willingham was sentenced to 48 hours to serve in the Warren County Jail and was ordered to pay $250 plus court costs. His unlawful drug paraphernalia charge was dismissed. He is scheduled to report to jail on March 22.