A Leesburg woman was arrested after switching seats with a passenger and lying about her name to avoid charges for driving with a suspended license.
An officer observed the driver of a red Ford Fusion, later identified as 27-year-old Keshea Monique Bailey, traveling northbound on U.S. Highway 27/441 without a working driver-side headlight around 11:20 p.m. Sunday, according to an arrest report from the Fruitland Park Police Department. Radar also showed the vehicle to be going 60mph in a 45-mph zone.
The officer subsequently conducted a traffic stop near Temple Hill Road. After the vehicle came to a stop, he saw Bailey switch seats with the front passenger. He still approached the vehicle, spoke with the passenger and asked for her driver’s license, the report said.
Once more units arrived, the officer asked Bailey to step out of the vehicle, at which point she was detained in handcuffs. The passenger was asked to do the same and was also detained in handcuffs, the report said.
The officer asked Bailey if she had her ID or driver’s license with her, but she did not respond. He asked for her name and she still did not respond. He then informed her that she was required to give her information, and she gave the name “Shay Bailey,” the report said.
The officer confirmed the spelling before returning to his vehicle to check her information. Several databases had no results for this name, so he ran a search using the passenger’s listed home address. He found Bailey’s real name as well as a photo that matched her appearance, the report said.
This information was used to find that Bailey’s driving privilege was suspended as of March 10 for criminal failure to pay. She also had three convictions for driving while license suspended, the report said.
The officer could also smell the distinct odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and noticed marijuana “shake” to be scattered throughout. A search of the vehicle was conducted, during which he found Bailey’s license inside the center console, the report said.
Bailey was ultimately arrested on charges of driving while license suspended and false name provided to law enforcement officer. She was transported to Lake County Jail and released after posting $1,500 bond.