An 18-year-old male from Ocklawaha had marijuana and guns in his vehicle when deputies searched it during a traffic stop.
A Lake County sheriff’s deputy observed the driver of a maroon 2005 Chevy Equinox – later identified as Adam Jay Burlison –traveling north on U.S. Highway 27 at around 2:28 a.m. Sunday, according to an arrest report from the sheriff’s office.
As the vehicle drove past, the deputy heard a loud screech from a locked-up tire. The vehicle had damage on the front end and appeared as if it had just been involved in an accident. It was unfit to maintain a single lane. Due to public safety concerns, a traffic stop was initiated near the intersection of U.S. Hwy 27 and Griffin Road, the report said.
The deputy met with Burlison and asked if he was aware of the damage to his vehicle, to which he advised he just ran into a curb. He then refused to provide his driver’s license multiple times. Instead, Burlison began to reach towards the bottom of his seat to where the deputy could no longer see his hands. He did not comply when told to stop. At that point, he was ordered to get out of the vehicle, the report said.
Another deputy observed the handle of a shotgun wedged between the front passenger seat and the center console, the report said. Because of this, Burlison and the two passengers, one of which was homeless and the other a juvenile, were secured in handcuffs for safety. A plastic bag containing a green leafy substance was observed in plain view inside of the pocket of the front passenger door during this process.
The deputies searched the vehicle and found contraband, the report said. The previously seen shotgun was determined to be a 12-gauge of unknown make. An H&R .22 revolver was found in the rear passenger floor directly underneath the front passenger seat, and a Smith & Wesson 40-caliber pistol was found inside the center console.
When asked about the substance in the bag, Burlison said it was six ounces of marijuana. This was later confirmed to be true with a field test. He also claimed ownership of the marijuana, the report said.
Burlison was charged with possession of marijuana (less than 20 grams). The guns found in the car were collected and will be released upon proof of ownership. Burlison was taken to the Lake County Jail and released after posting $1,000 bond.
