Authorities: Man Stopped For Traffic Violation Volunteers Drug Information

A local man was out of jail Tuesday on a $1,500 bond following his Sunday arrest on drug charges.

George C. Nickerson, 61, of 4700 U.S. 27 S., Sebring, was charged with possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

Just before 12:30 a.m. Sunday, a deputy with the Highlands County Sheriff's Office saw a Chevrolet truck failing to maintain a proper lane on U.S. 27 North, according to the arrest report.

"The vehicle was traveling in a manner consistent with a person under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, an illegal narcotic or someone with a medical disability," the report stated.

Nickerson was identified via his Florida driver's license following the traffic stop. He reportedly became nervous and started going through items in his console area.

His information was checked and there were no warrants out on him. The deputy asked Nickerson why he failed to maintain a proper lane.

"He explained to me he dropped his bag of Fritos, therefore, he was trying to pick the bag up while still driving," the report stated.

The deputy gave Nickerson his license back and gave him a verbal warning, at which time the traffic stop ended, according to the report. Nickerson then allegedly said he had illegal drugs in the console of his vehicle and gave consent to search.

The deputy reportedly found a metal Altoid container with 10 pieces of an, "off-white, chalky, rock-like substance," that was suspected of being crack cocaine. Also found was an eye glass case that allegedly had a pencil used as a push pin and glass crack pipes with pieces of Brillo pad inside.

A presumptive field test was performed on the white substance and it revealed a positive result for cocaine, according to the report.

Nickerson reportedly told authorities he bought the crack cocaine for $50 from an unknown male in the Highway Park subdivision.

HCSO Deputy Jason Mulligan made the arrest.