Man sprinkles cocaine over Nashville police officer's head 'to destroy the evidence'

Natalie Neysa Alund | The Tennessean

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NASHVILLE — A 20-year-old man was jailed Tuesday on drug-related charges after authorities say he sprinkled cocaine on a Metro police officer's head in an attempt to destroy evidence.

According to an arrest warrant, late Monday night three officers on patrol along Third Avenue North in downtown Nashville spotted a man — later identified as Antonio Freeman — rolling a green leafy substance resembling marijuana.

When one of the officer's approached Freeman and asked what he had in his hand, the affidavit says, Freeman "attempted to hide a blunt he'd been rolling."

Freeman put the rolling papers and marijuana in his left pocket, and in front of all three officers, removed a clear plastic bag full of cocaine from the same left pocket. The affidavit goes onto state he then crushed the bag in his hand and sprinkled the cocaine over Officer Ryan Caulfield’s head and into the air.

The officers arrested Freeman and salvaged about 2.5 grams of cocaine from the scene despite Freeman's attempt to destroy it, the affidavit continues.

During a search of the suspect, officers also found a black scale in one of his pockets as well as a pill bottle with marijuana residue near his genitals.

Freeman, who remained at the Metro jail on $5,000 bond Tuesday, is charged with possession of a schedule IV drug, unlawful use of drug paraphernalia and tampering with evidence.

He's due in court on the matter next month.

Reach Natalie Neysa Alund at nalund@tennessean.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.