Nashville Police Discover Homeless Camp Pot-Growing Operation

NASHVILLE, TN — Metro Police didn't expect to find a homeless camp and once they did, they didn't expect to find a marijuana growing operation, and when they found that, they certainly didn't expect identifying its alleged owner would be so easy.

While investigating a rape Tuesday, police found a small homeless camp on Herman Street between 21st and 22nd avenues. They returned Wednesday to interview its residents about a spate of burglaries and vandalism in the area.

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Detectives said when they arrived, they saw 11 pot plants in plain sight sitting outside of a tent. Other residents told police the plants belonged to Ernie Hattabaugh. Indeed, Hattabaugh's name was on a sticker on the tent and police say they found an EBT card bearing his name inside the tent.

Hattabaugh was booked on felony drug charges.

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