Dalton woman found with a large amount of drugs after failing to maintain lane in Whitfield County

According to a Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office incident report, Lt. Rann reported that within the last month, Lt. Rann received information that Teresa Darlene Dutton, 57, of Dalton, was driving around in a darker-colored Jeep SUV. The information also stated that Dutton was always drinking and using pills. Lt. Rann located Dutton’s vehicle at the America’s Best Inn on Connector 3. According to the report, “Lt. Rann is familiar with this location as being a highly frequented location for persons involved in drugs. Lt. Rann was not able to act on the information at that time due to not knowing which room Dutton might be in or the vehicle leaving the motel.” On March 15th, 2023, at 10:20 PM, Lt. Rann observed Dutton’s Jeep traveling on Chattanooga Road while assisting Deputy N. Woods with the traffic stop. The vehicle slowed down to approximately mid 30’s mph while traveling on Dawnville Road. Lt. Rann observed the vehicle cross the outside fog line prior to the intersection with Underwood Road. Lt. Rann waited to initiate the traffic stop at the intersection of Dawnville Road and Hwy. 286. Lt. Rann made contact with Dutton, and he caught a slight hint of an odor of alcoholic beverage. Lt. Rann also noted slurring of speech by Dutton. Lt. Rann questioned Dutton as to the use of alcohol or drugs. Dutton advised that she had not drunk and did take prescribed Hydrocodone pills due to medical issues but had not taken any since earlier this date. During field sobriety testing, Dutton showed BAC of .029. Deputies located a large number of medications and a baggie containing meth. Lt. Rann also noted a strong alcoholic beverage contained in a silver thermos cup in the cupholder of the center console of the vehicle with a straw inside. Dutton was booked into the Whitfield County Jail, charged with an open container, possession of schedule 4 x2, possession of schedule 2 x4, possession of schedule 3 x2, possession of meth, and a written warning for the failure to maintain lane.