Three people were arrested recently after a traffic stop made by a St. Lucie County deputy after about a half an ounce of heroin was discovered. The vehicle was speeding and had an expired registration. Upon being stopped by police, the 28-year-old female driver and a 29-year-old male passenger consented to a search of the car. The heroin was found in the man’s underwear. Cocaine and opiate pain killers were also found inside of the car. A third man left the scene of the stop in another vehicle and crashed into a retention area. “Thug For Life” was tattooed on his arm. He’d previously been sentenced in 1998 for a second-degree murder conviction. Following this arrest it would be wise for the individuals to retain a qualified Port Saint Lucie criminal defense attorney.
Deputies obtained a search warrant for the third person’s home, and they reportedly found small amounts of cocaine and marijuana. A woman who was at the home told deputies that the man came home in a panic and went to his bedroom. She heard the toilet for that bedroom flush repeatedly. A search around the bedroom revealed drug-related evidence near the bathroom toilet and kitchen sink. He was later charged with destroying evidence, possession of cocaine, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, fleeing and eluding a police officer, three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and other offenses. Bail was set at $175,500 for the female and $75,000 for the first male. With an outstanding warrant in Martin County, the second male was denied bail.
Heroin has been classified as a Schedule One drug by the Florida legislature. If a person is convicted of a Schedule One drug a person would be guilty of a felony of the third degree and sentenced to up to five years in prison and a fine not to exceed $5,000.
Port St. Lucie Drug Defense Lawyer
In the subject case, two searches were performed. One was purportedly consensual, and the other was pursuant to a warrant. Understanding and applying the law of search and seizure to the cases against the three people who were arrested in this case is critical to defending the charges against them. Jonathan Jay Kirschner is an experienced and highly respected St. Lucie County search and seizure and drug defense attorney. He’s been board certified by the Florida Supreme Court in criminal trial practice for nearly 25 years. Don’t give a statement or confession to police. Contact Jonathan Jay Kirschner right away after any drug arrest.
