A Leesburg man with a history of traffic violations was arrested with drugs after police stopped him for speeding by almost 30 miles per hour during Leesburg Bikefest.
Police observed a white four door passenger car speeding near U.S. Highway 441 and Skinner Avenue on Friday evening during Leesburg Bikefest, according to an arrest report from the Groveland Police Department.
The driver, 25-year-old Octavus Jaleel Potts, was going 73 miles per hour in a 45-mph zone. The officer activated his emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop, with Potts stopping coming to a stop in the bike lane to right shoulder area, the report said.
Potts was very shaky and had a nervous demeanor when the officer approached him, the report said. As the officer explained the reason for the stop, he observed marijuana cigar remnants on Potts’ lap and clear plastic baggies on the center console.
As the officer stated his observations, Potts stated he did consume marijuana earlier and that he had a medical marijuana card. He also advised he did not have a valid driver’s license or any contraband on him or in the vehicle, the report said.
Potts was then detained, and his vehicle was searched. Various marijuana paraphernalia and a glass jar containing a golden paste consistent with concentrated marijuana dab were found during the search, the report said.
In addition, a background check revealed that Potts’ license was revoked as a habitual traffic offender on March 9, the report said.
In response to these discoveries, Potts advised that he had no other drugs in the car and was unaware of the marijuana dab, the report said. He stated the car, which he did not usually drive, belonged to his spouse.
Potts was transported to the Lake County Jail without incident, the report said. Upon deputies retrieving his property, Potts took his shoes and socks off in a manner which raised suspicion. The officer asked a deputy to inspect his socks further at which time Potts stated it was “just trash.”
Within his black ankle sock removed from his right shoe, the officer found a cut cigarillo packet with a white powdery substance. When asked what it would test positive for, Potts stated MDMA, also known as ecstasy. The substance tested positive for such and weighed one gram, the report said.
As a result, Potts was charged with driving while his license was revoked (habitual traffic offender), possession of MDMA and introducing contraband to a correctional facility. He was also issued a civil citation for speeding. He was released from jail after posting $6,000 bond.
