Two people in Florida are facing drug and gun charges after a traffic stop on March 26, 2018. When a blue Nissan Altima ran through a stop sign around 4 a.m. and then illegally passed a car, a nearby deputy from the Leon County Sheriff’s Office stopped the vehicle. A man and two women were inside the vehicle; after speaking to the driver, the deputy said that he smelled the scent of marijuana.
The deputy then searched the car after asking the people inside to get outside. He says that he then found cocaine and marijuana in the vehicle as well as a loaded AR-15 rifle in the car truck, a handgun in the center console and 12 bullets in a small bag. The driver and one of the female passengers were arrested and accused of drug and gun violations. The man claimed that he had been unaware of the presence of any drugs and guns, although he was driving the car. However, when he was later booked at the Leon County Detention Facility, four baggies of methamphetamine were found in his possession during a search.
Both the man and the woman were charged with possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of marijuana and possession of narcotic equipment. In addition to the drug charges, they were both accused of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony and carrying an unlicensed concealed weapon. The man was accused of smuggling contraband into a detention facility while the woman was charged with resisting an officer without violence. Both are being held on bond at the county jail.
People accused of drug crimes in Florida could face lifelong consequences if convicted, including prison time and a felony criminal record. A criminal defense lawyer may be able to help people facing drug charges to mount a strong defense, including challenging police practices and problematic evidence.
