15-04-2025
Man faces federal drug and firearm charges related to March arrest in East Nashville
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A man who was arrested in East Nashville after allegedly making a drug transaction in front of detectives now faces federal charges, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Tennessee.
Last month, detectives with the Metro Nashville Police Department reportedly saw 33-year-old Dejuan Bell get out of a Nissan Altima near the James Cayce Homes and walk up to several people who were on porches. Detectives said they saw Bell exchange pills and a plastic bag with the driver of a black truck that had stopped on South Sixth Street.
MARCH: Man arrested in East Nashville after making drug transaction in front of detectives, police say
When MNPD detectives tried to make contact with him, he allegedly fled. As he fled, he reportedly threw a Glock 23 Gen5, .40 caliber pistol, that had been in the waistband of his pants. A search of the firearm's history revealed that it had been reported stolen. Bell reportedly admitted to detectives that he had bought the firearm in the Cayce area about two weeks prior and that he had run from authorities because he had the weapon on his person.
Authorities also discovered $2,180 in cash and 4.2 grams of suspected oxycodone pills in a plastic bag in his pants pockets. Additionally, after authorities conducted a probable cause search of the Altima, they seized a digital scale, 'plastic bags of a green leafy substance suspected to be marijuana' and a plastic bag with 4.5 grams of a 'white/grey powdery substance' that tested positive for cocaine in the field.
Bell also allegedly admitted to detectives that he had marijuana and cocaine for sale and that he had a manslaughter conviction for which he had been on probation.
'Our efforts in Operation Bond Watch are designed to keep those with violent histories from possessing firearms and putting our community at risk,' acting U.S. Attorney Robert E. McGuire said. 'A person previously and recently convicted of killing someone should not have a handgun — period.'
Bell has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of oxycodone and cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. If convicted, he could face a maximum of 15 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine on the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon charge.
He could also face up to 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine on the drug charge as well as five years to life in prison and a $250,000 fine on the possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking charge.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
