BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — Two people are facing charges after Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers discovered illegally-owned firearms and a 'suspicious' device during a traffic stop in Blount County on Tuesday.

The stop occurred on Alcoa Highway near the Pellissippi Parkway interchange just before 5 p.m. According to a THP spokesperson, the trooper noticed what appeared to be an explosive device inside the vehicle.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Knox County Sheriff's Office Bomb Squad, and Alcoa Police Department responded to the scene. It appeared to be a hoax device, according to bomb technicians who examined it. The device was collected for further testing.

Three firearms were recovered from the vehicle. The driver, who is a convicted felon, was plac

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