By Nate Rau / The Tennessean
State Rep. Curry Todd has been indicted by a Davidson County grand jury on charges of driving under the influence and possession of a handgun while under the influence stemming from his October arrest.
Todd, a chief proponent of a 2010 law that allowed permit holders to carry guns into places that serve alcohol, was arrested after officers found a loaded handgun in his vehicle during a traffic stop.
Todd's attorney said Friday's indictments were not a surprise. In addition to the criminal indictments, Todd was indicted on a charge of implied consent, a civil offense that can lead to loss of a driver's license.
"This is part of a normal process," Nashville attorney Worrick Robinson said. "We have been expecting this to happen at some point. We'll address the issues and the charges when required in court."
Despite the arrest, Todd, who is a retired police officer, does not face opposition for his House seat.
Speaker of the House Beth Harwell said Monday that the indictments will make it "difficult if not impossible" for Todd to be restored to his powerful post as chairman of the House State and Local Government Committee, which he resigned after his arrest.
"Certainly I respect the legal system," Harwell said. "I think all along Rep. Todd and I have both said we will abide with the decision of the judicial system. So clearly we will. I'll think through what action will take place at the legislative level, but certainly it will impact."
In the arrest report, Metro Police claim Todd was speeding and driving erratically down 21st Avenue South. After he failed a field sobriety test and refused a breath test, officers found a loaded Smith & Wesson 38 Special in his vehicle.
No arraignment date has been set on the case, according to district attorney spokeswoman Susan Niland.
In November, the 65-year-old Republican from Collierville rejected a plea deal offered by the district attorney's office.
In January, Todd, who is also recently divorced, revealed he was battling non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cancer.