HEARTBREAKING DRAMA FOR EPSTEIN, CARTER

Howie Epstein, longtime bassist in Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and singer-songwriter Carlene Carter were arrested earlier this week (6/26) when the couple were stopped by police while driving an allegedly stolen SUV, according to various news and wire reports.

To make matters way worse, 2.9 grams of black tar heroin and drug paraphernalia were found inside the vehicle, police said.

Carter, the stepdaughter of music legend Johnny Cash and the daughter of June Carter Cash, was behind the wheel when a state trooper pulled the duo over for speeding Tuesday night in Albuquerque, NM.

Officer James Bergman said he checked the vehicle's registration and discovered it was reported stolen in Santa Fe on March 15. After a search of the SUV, the state trooper found the drugs and paraphernalia.

According to the report, Carter claimed the paraphernalia and heroin were hers and was strictly "for personal use." She said they were traveling to Albuquerque’s airport to drop Epstein off so he could catch a flight to Scranton, PA, to perform with the Heartbreakers, who were scheduled to play Wednesday night.

Epstein and Carter were released Wednesday morning (6/27) after posting bail.