A 25-year-old Leesburg man was arrested on drug charges for the second time in a little over a month after being pulled over on his bicycle for driving erratically.
Dustin Michael Matthews, of 11348 Center Lane, was charged Friday with possession of methamphetamine and possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana. He also had his bond revoked from his March 14 arrest on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of Fentanyl, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, and possession of drug equipment.
At around 11 a.m., a Lake County sheriff’s deputy observed Williams riding a bicycle southbound on South Haines Creek Road in the middle of the double yellow lines. As a northbound truck approached, Williams moved into the oncoming lane, causing the truck to have to swerve to avoid hitting him, according to the sheriff’s office report.
The deputy pulled Matthews over at the intersection of Circle Way and Grove Street. Matthews had on his hip a large fixed-blade knife that was about 10 inches long, which he said was for protection. Asked if he had any other weapons or contraband, Matthews became visibly nervous, the report said.
After the knife was removed from Matthews’ hip and he was placed in a safe area, the officer asked him again if he had any other weapons or contraband. He said he thought he had a “rig” in his pocket, referring to a needle for injecting methamphetamine, and a bag of marijuana. Williams said he found the needle on the side of the road and placed it in his pocket so a kid wouldn’t get it, but he later changed his story and said the “rig” was his. A syringe was never found., according to the report.
Asked about the contraband, Matthews said it was in a pouch in his front right pocket. The office found a small cloth pouch containing small clear bag containing a green leafy substance and a small blue gaggie that contained a white powdery substance. The green leafy substance tested positive for marijuana, while the white powdery substance tested positive for methamphetamine, the report said.
Matthews, who stated openly that he has a drug problem and is seeking help, was taken to the Lake County Jail, where he is being held without bond. He is scheduled to appear in Lake County Court on May 17.
