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Highlands Today

Public Defender, Husband Arrested On Drug Charges

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Brad Dickerson

Published: November 4, 2008

SEBRING - A public defender and her husband were out of jail Tuesday on a $1,500 and $2,000 bond, respectively, after being arrested Saturday on drug charges.

Jennifer Josette Pineiro, 51, of 2004 Andalusia St., Sebring, was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting an officer without violence.

Her husband, Jesus Manuel Pineiro, 33, also of 2004 Andalusia St., was charged with battery of an officer, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Highlands County Sheriff's deputies were investigating a sheriff's dispatch hang-up phone call that Jesus was allegedly involved in. It was learned the hang-up was domestically related since the suspect said he and his wife were arguing prior to the deputies' arrival.

Law enforcement said during the course of the investigation, Jesus was uncooperative and not answering basic questions. At one point, he grabbed a deputy's arm, according to the arrest report.

The deputy told him to "let go of my arm immediately and to not put his hands on me again."

As deputies spoke with Jennifer, they reported a smell of alcohol on her person. She also began walking toward other authorities who were speaking with Jesus. Deputy Rachel Carnley grabbed Jennifer's right sleeve to try and keep her from walking away. She then began yelling and, "asking me if I was trying to undress her," the report stated.

Carnley then gripped Jennifer's wrist, who allegedly told her to let go or she would walk away from the home. The deputy said she would let go, but if Jennifer approached the other deputies again, she would be arrested for resisting.

Jennifer allegedly pulled away and started walking toward the other deputies, at which time Carnley and another deputy put her in restraints and placed her into a patrol car.

During the incident, Jennifer stated, "Do you know who I am? I am a public defender," the report stated.

After Jennifer was taken out of the home, deputies continued speaking with Jesus, who allegedly pushed one of them in the chest after they requested his identification. He started resisting the other law enforcement agents as well, who eventually took him into custody.

Inside the house, deputies allegedly saw several smoking pipes, cannabis seeds and leaves in plain sight in the kitchen, dining room and living area. A field test was performed on the leaves, which reportedly came back positive for the presence of cannabis.

Brad Dickerson can be reached at (863) 386-5838 or bdickerson@highlandstoday.com

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