A Fruitland Park woman and her Eustis cohort were arrested after the discovery of two backpacks with narcotics during a traffic stop.
An officer observed 34-year-old Cheri Ann Poiret and 48-year-old Kenneth Ray Hutchinson traveling northbound on U.S. Hwy. 27/441 in a white Hyundai passenger car at 7:40 p.m. Saturday, according to an arrest report from the Fruitland Park Police Department. The vehicle’s tint appeared too dark, so he got closer for a traffic stop.
The vehicle initially signaled right and merged into the middle turn lane at the intersection with Register Road, but at the sight of law enforcement, it re-entered northbound traffic. The officer activated his emergency lights directly behind the vehicle, which merged to the right. It continued heading north at 20 mph, passing several safe places to stop, the report said.
The officer then used a siren and air horn to get the vehicle to stop. During this time, he saw Hutchinson acknowledge him from behind the wheel. He also saw Poiret moving furtively around the vehicle, as if she was trying to hide items or retrieve a weapon, the report said
The vehicle eventually pulled over just south of U.S. Hwy. 27/441 and South Grays Airport Road. The officer pointed his firearm toward the occupants and waited for another unit to arrive before ordering them both out of the vehicle. A K-9 was subsequently deployed, and it positively alerted to the odor of narcotics, the report said.
Right before searching the vehicle, the officers observed several small pieces of methamphetamine scattered about the front passenger seat. A blue backpack belonging to Poiret contained two unused syringes and a small unused plastic baggie. There was also a Big Gulp cup from 7-Eleven that contained a pink liquid, the report said.
It was cold to the touch, with ice inside. When dumped out, a crystalized substance remained at the bottom of the cup. This later tested positive for methamphetamine, the report said.
Poiret subsequently advised that she had just gotten into the car and was being given a ride by HutchinSet featured imageson to pick up her dog in Lady Lake. She admitted to using methamphetamine occasionally, having taken some the night prior. She claimed she did not see the methamphetamine in her seat due to her poor eyesight, the report said.
Additionally, the officers discovered a dark backpack in the front passenger floorboard directly beside two pieces of mail addressed to Hutchinson. This backpack contained a Ray Ban sunglass case with several plastic baggies, four of which had a total of 14.2 grams of methamphetamine, the report said.
A later check of Hutchinson’s driving status showed his license had been suspended since July 5, 2022, with four active suspensions or cancellations. He had eight prior convictions for driving with a suspended license, as well, the report said.
When asked about the syringes in her backpack, she stated she buys vitamins off the internet and injects herself with them because it is “better for you” than taking them orally. The report noted that no vitamins were found in the vehicle, the report said.
Poiret was arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamine and tamper with evidence. She was booked at the Lake County Jail without bond.
Hutchinson was arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamine, driving while license suspended with knowledge (ninth offense), possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to obey law enforcement officer. He was booked at the jail and released after posting $9,500 bond.
He was also arrested in July 2024 after holding a knife to a handyman’s throat.