An Ocala man was arrested for driving with a suspended license despite claiming he was not notified due to staying with his girlfriend.
A deputy observed the driver of a silver 2013 Hyundai Elantra, later identified as 32-year-old Matthew Shawn Rager, traveling north on U.S. 301 with non-functioning tag lights at 10:45 p.m. Monday, according to an arrest report from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
The deputy turned on his emergency lights and initiated a traffic stop at the corner of the highway and County Road 108. Upon approaching Rager, he provided his driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance using his cell phone, the report said.
A check of law enforcement databases revealed Rager’s license was currently under an indefinite suspension. A notice of suspension was given on Feb. 10 to his current residence, the report said.
Rager stated he lived and got mail at an address in Minneola since 2005, but he had been staying with his current girlfriend at her place in Ocala. He had not received the notice of suspension due to him being there instead, the report said.
Rager was subsequently arrested on charge of driving while license suspended/revoked and issued a written warning for the inoperable tag light. He was transported to Sumter County Jail and released after posting $150 bond.