An Ocala man was arrested after being stopped with a suspended license and marijuana in his pocket.
A deputy observed 47-year-old Christopher Allen Briggs driving a silver Nissan pickup truck with blue headlights in Oxford at 11:40 p.m. Saturday, according to an arrest report from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. He subsequently stopped the vehicle at North U.S. 301 and County Road 104.
While explaining the reason for the stop, the deputy noticed a small black smoking pipe laying on the center console. He asked Briggs if he had a medical marijuana card, which he did not. He then admitted to having marijuana in the vehicle and pulled out a small bag of it from his right pocket, the report said.
Briggs also handed over an Arkansas ID card due to not having a driver’s license. A check of his driving status showed his license had been suspended as of June 19, 2023, the report said.
Dispatch then advised that he had a guilty conviction of possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia out of Lake County on Jan. 22. He also had a guilty conviction of DUI, possession of marijuana (less than 20 grams) and possession of drug paraphernalia out of Marion County on March 25, the report said.
Briggs was arrested on charges of driving while license suspended, possession of marijuana (less than 20 grams) and two counts of drug equipment (possess or use). The California native was transported to the Sumter County Detention Center where bond was set at $1,650 and Arkansas placed five holds on him.