ROGERSVILLE, Tenn. - A Hawkins County grand jury has indicted a former police chief's son after a phony traffic stop.
According to the Kingsport Times-News, a felony charge of possession of a prohibited weapon was returned against 21-year-old Nathaniel Ryan Robinette of Rogersville on Monday. He was also charged on misdemeanor counts of criminal impersonation and false imprisonment.
Investigators say Robinette - who is not a police officer - detained a motorist in a pharmacy parking lot in December 2012, flashed a badge and identified himself as a police officer. The arresting officer said Robinette had a fully automatic M-16 rifle and SWAT gear and he searched the motorist's car before letting him go.
Robinette's father, Phil Robinette, resigned as chief of the Bean Station Police Department the day after his son was arrested.