An Apopka teen was arrested on weapon and drug charges after deputies found a firearm and marijuana when he was stopped for speeding in Lake County.
A deputy observed the driver of a silver passenger vehicle, later identified as 19-year-old Toribio Cruz Garcia, speeding near Carnoustie Street and Westchester Avenue around 1:04 a.m. Tuesday, according to an arrest report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
The deputy tried to catch up to the vehicle to initiate a traffic stop, during which he got up to 80 mph without gaining any distance on Garcia. Due to training and experience, the deputy believed the vehicle to be going about 80 mph in a 45-mph zone on State Road 46. He initiated a traffic stop once he caught up on Sorrento Avenue, the report said.
Garcia then got out of the vehicle and spoke to the deputy. He stated that he did not have his driver’s license on him but gave his name. He also spontaneously said that he had just smoked marijuana prior to the stop and still had about 8 grams in a white Styrofoam cup in the backseat cupholder, the report said.
Another deputy then retrieved the cup containing a green leafy substance from the backseat cupholder. Upon retrieval, it seemed there were over 8 grams of leafy substance. In fact, the substance tested positive for marijuana and weighed in at about 17.9 grams, the report said.
Deputies did a more thorough search of the vehicle and found a concealed loaded firearm unholstered and unsecure underneath the front passenger seat. Two extended magazines, an additional standard magazine and a small gold scale were located throughout the rest of the vehicle. The firearm was not chambered but loaded with an extended magazine housing a 9mm round and a 40mm round. It was readily accessible and within arm’s reach of the driver’s seat yet out of view of the public, the report said.
Garcia wished to speak to the deputies, but before they asked any specific questions about the items found, he stated, “It’s mine.” He ultimately advised that the firearm was his, not his brother’s who was the registered owner of the vehicle. When asked where he got it from, he stated he bought it online while using a false date of birth, the report said.
As a result, Garcia was arrested on charges of possession of marijuana (less than 20 grams), possession of drug paraphernalia and carrying concealed weapon. He was transported to the Lake County Jail with bond set at $4,500.