safety
Hopkinsville Police officers find drugs, gun during traffic stop for window tint, exhaust noise
By Tony Garcia at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 17, 2026
· 2 min read
What This Story Is AboutHopkinsville Police officers discovered drugs and a firearm after pulling over a driver for dark window tint and a loud exhaust system, which are both against the town’s laws. HOPKINSVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - A driver in Hopkinsville is facing multiple charges after a simple t...
Key takeaway The Hopkinsville Police Department reported on Wednesday that officers pulled over Tahj Manning for having “excessive window tint” on his vehicle and an “exhaust system that was determined to be a nuisance.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The Hopkinsville Police Department's recent traffic stop that uncovered drugs and a firearm highlights the potential consequences of enforcing seemingly minor infractions. While some community members may view the focus on exhaust noise as petty, Chief Jason Newby's stance emphasizes the importance of upholding all laws, regardless of their perceived severity. This approach can lead to the discovery of more serious offenses, as seen in the case of Tahj Manning. The fact that officers were able to smell marijuana and subsequently find additional contraband suggests that the initial stop was not merely a nuisance, but rather a crucial step in maintaining public safety. As the city continues to enforce its laws on excessive window tint and loud exhaust systems, it will be worth watching how the community responds to Chief Newby's firm stance and whether this approach yields further successes in combating more serious crimes.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
Get more The Nashville stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? What This Story Is AboutHopkinsville Police officers discovered drugs and a firearm after pulling over a driver for dark window tint and a loud exhaust system, which are both against the town’s laws. HOPKINSVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - A driver in Hopkinsville is facing multiple charges after a simple t...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Tony Garcia at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter