Local News
Traffic stop turns into arrest
JOE SEELIG
Published: August 20, 2012
LAKE PLACID - A traffic stop for a Lake Placid man turned into an arrest for drug charges Aug. 13.Published: August 20, 2012
Marquis Sharod Bellamy's vehicle was stopped on Washington Boulevard in Lake Placid, when Avon Park police officer Orlando Esquibel, working with Highlands County Sheriff's Deputy Dennis Williams, reported he found marijuana while doing an inventory of the vehicle before it was to be towed, authorities allege.
In total, law enforcement reported it recovered 20.6 grams of marijuana in multiple baggies, a third-degree felony. Misdemeanor possession is 20 grams or less.
The 20-year-old, who was stopped 200 feet away from a church, was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a worship center or business, possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana and three counts of possession of drug paraphernalia. Police also recovered an undisclosed amount of cash in small denominations, the report stated, which was "common for sales from a street-level dealer."
Bellamy remained in the Highlands County Jail in lieu of $23,000 bond Sunday and was being held without bond when a previous bond was revoked on charges of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
The driver of the car, a 21-year-old female, was charged with driving without a driver's license.
jseelig@highlandstoday.com (863) 386-5834