Couple Arrested At AP Motel On Drug Charges

A couple remained in jail Monday after being arrested over the weekend on drug charges.

Albert Frederick Barber, 31, of 400 N. Delaney Ave., Avon Park, is charged with two counts of possessing a harmful new legend drug without a prescription, one count of resisting an officer without violence, three counts of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond is $35,000.

Brandy Michelle Giddens, 28, of 1553 N. Oak Park Ave., Avon Park, is charged with possession of a harmful new legend drug without a prescription, resisting an officer without violence, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and possession of drug paraphernalia. Her bond was set at $6,250.

Highlands County Sheriff's deputies were at the Lake Brentwood Motel at 2:17 a.m., on Sunday, where Barber and Giddens were reported to be staying. Barber had an active felony warrant out of Highlands County and fled on foot from law enforcement, despite being told to stop, according to the arrest report.

He was located and continued to resist by refusing to come out from a set of bushes and show his hands, the report stated. Barber was finally apprehended after officers used a Taser.

Giddens also reportedly fled on foot from authorities. She reportedly had an active felony warrant out of Polk County. She was eventually located and taken into custody.

A search of her black bag allegedly revealed a green metal container holding a clear, plastic cellophane bag with a "crystal-like substance" inside. It field tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine. A syringe was reportedly discovered on Gidden's person.

She allegedly told police the syringe was used by her to "inject methamphetamine intravenously," the report stated.

Consent was then given to search the room that Barber and Giddens were staying in. Police report that they found a pill bottle containing three 30 mg and three 60 mg Morphine pills, one 50 mg Tremadol pill and one Sipro pill.

A razor blade was also found that was said to have tested positive for meth. Barber told police the blade was his and he used it to "chop" the meth, according to the report.

HCSO Deputy James Brimlow made the arrest.