A Knox County man will spend more than two decades behind bars after the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals upheld his 24-year prison sentence on Friday. The decision follows a legal battle over a cell phone search and the defendant’s extensive criminal history.
Todd Lee White was convicted of unlawful possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and resisting arrest. The case began in September 2022 when Knox County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at White’s trailer to serve a probation violation warrant. Investigators had received an anonymous tip that White was armed and selling drugs.
Forced Entry and the Hidden Sig Sauer
When deputies arrived, they heard movement inside but received no answer. After forcing entry, they found White in a bedroom. A struggle ensued when White refused to follow orders to get on the ground, leading to his arrest.
A subsequent search of the residence revealed approximately 147 grams of marijuana, digital scales, and a cell phone. Most notably, officers discovered a hole in the bedroom closet floor. Tucked underneath the trailer, they found a 9mm Sig Sauer semi-automatic pistol, three loaded magazines, and a holster.
Though the ground was damp, the gun was clean and warm to the touch. Detective Matthew Johnson testified that firearms left outside typically develop rust quickly, suggesting the weapon had only recently been placed there.
READ: K9 Sniffs Out Florida Homicide Suspect After High-Speed Pursuit Ends In The Woods
Digital Evidence and “I Love My Sig”
The prosecution’s case was bolstered by data pulled from White’s cell phone. Despite a legal challenge from the defense claiming the search warrant was “constitutionally insufficient,” the court allowed evidence including text messages and photos.
One message sent by White stated, “just point your finger and ur gun is your finger . . I love my sig.” Additionally, forensic examiners found photos on the device showing a firearm identical to the one recovered from under the trailer.
A former roommate of White’s testified that she had purchased the gun for protection but left it under the trailer when she moved out because she knew White, as a felon, could not legally possess it.
A History of Crime
The sentencing phase focused heavily on White’s past. Because White had at least five prior felony convictions—including burglary and robbery dating back to the late 1980s—the court classified him as a “Range III persistent offender.”
White’s behavior during the trial also played a role in his stiff sentence. He failed to appear in court on the day the verdict was read, leading to a brief manhunt. When he was caught the next day, he was found with more drugs and a cell phone containing messages about “hiding in the woods.”
In his own defense, White cited health issues including COPD and PTSD, and asked the court for mercy due to his age. “I would never hurt nobody,” White told the court.
However, Judge J. Ross Dyer, writing for the appeals court, noted that the trial court was justified in its severity. The judge pointed to White’s “lifetime of criminal behavior” and his continued drug involvement even while his trial was ongoing.
The court affirmed the 24-year sentence for the weapons charge and a concurrent six-month sentence for resisting arrest.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
