A Eustis man who was arrested for drug possession was found to be hiding more of it in his pants during a jail search.
A deputy observed the driver of a white motorcycle, later identified as 62-year-old Benjamin Jennings Carroll, exiting Robie Avenue onto U.S. Highway 441 without stopping at the stop sign around 2:17 a.m. Friday, according to an arrest report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
A short time later, the deputy saw the same motorcycle pass him with two occupants. It took a sharp left onto East 1st Avenue as the deputy turned to conduct a traffic stop. The motorcycle then turned into the apartment complex at 1526 E 1st Ave before shutting off the headlights and abruptly turning into a driveway, the report said.
The deputy was able to get behind the motorcycle as the two occupants were getting off, and he activated his emergency lights. He ordered the pair to his vehicle and radioed to another deputy the motorcycle tag. This was how he learned the registered owner, Carroll, had a suspended license, the report said.
As such, the deputy attempted to put Carroll in handcuffs. He began to tense up but was still safely detained. He also admitted that he had “stem” on him, which is a slang term for a crack cocaine smoking device, the report said.
Carroll was searched, and a glass smoking device and a white rock substance were found in his front right coin pocket in his jeans. This later tested positive for cocaine, the report said.
Carroll was placed under arrest and transported to the Lake County Jail as a result. While there, his pants were pulled down, and his buttocks were exposed. It was discovered that he was concealing a plastic baggie containing several small pieces of a white rock substance that also tested positive for cocaine. After reviewing footage from the patrol car, it showed Carroll pull his pants down and retrieve the baggie while he was unattended in the back seat, the report said.
The final charges were possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of cocaine and introduction of contraband into a secure facility. Bond was set at $5,000.
