A Summerfield man was arrested after being caught with methamphetamine and admitting to fleeing to Tennessee to avoid dealing with a suspended license.
A deputy observed a grayish silver GMC SUV leaving the Circle K, located at 14870 U.S. Hwy. 441, Summerfield, around 1 a.m. Tuesday, according to an arrest report from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. A database check revealed the registered owner, 50-year-old Billy Ray Vincent, had a suspended driver’s license.
A traffic stop was conducted, and the deputy approached Vincent. He was asked about his driver’s license status but claimed it was valid. The deputy asked for his license, to which Vincent handed over a Florida identification card from a black wallet attached to a chain clipped to his belt loop, the report said.
When the deputy questioned Vincent about the ID instead of a license, he simply stated his license should be valid. If it was suspended, this would be the first time he heard of it. Records showed his license had been suspended since 2007 for a possession of controlled substance charge that he never had his license reinstated from, the report said.
Vincent was subsequently arrested and searched. The deputy looked inside his wallet and found a small cellophane baggie containing a white powder that he immediately suspected was drugs. A vehicle inventory followed, which led to the discovery of a small clear crystal in the center console cupholders. This was thought to be methamphetamine, the report said.
After being read his rights, Vincent admitted he never had his license reinstated following his suspension. He just fled from Florida to Tennessee instead of dealing with it, the report said.
The deputy then questioned him about the crystal in the cupholder and asked whose it was. He replied, “It could be her meth or could be my meth.” He admitted the substance in his wallet was methamphetamine, the report said.
Both crystal substances tested positive for methamphetamine. Additionally, Vincent had one conviction for driving while license suspended from July 2024, the report said.
Vincent was charged with possession of controlled substance without prescription and driving while license suspended/revoked (second or subsequent offense). He was transported to Marion County Jail to be held without bond.