An Ocala man on probation was arrested after cocaine residue was found on a rolling tray in his car during a traffic stop.
A deputy noticed a black Acura sitting at the intersection of Main Street and West Gulf Atlantic Highway at 10:55 p.m. Wednesday, according to an arrest report from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. A check of the registration revealed the registered owner had an active warrant out of Marion County, which did not turn out to be the current driver, 24-year-old Jose Enrique Sanchez-Chavez.
Before knowing this, the deputy stopped the vehicle at East State Road 44 and County Road 229 in Wildwood. He then explained the reason for it to Sanchez-Chavez, whose hands were visibly shaking. This nervous behavior led the deputy to request a K-9 unit to check for narcotics, the report said.
The K-9 ultimately gave a positive alert, and a search of the vehicle ensued. On the driver’s side floorboard sat a green metal tray bearing the word “OCALA.” While commonly used to roll marijuana cigarettes, this tray instead had white powdery residue suspected to be cocaine. A test confirmed this to be accurate, the report said.
A subsequent check of Sanchez-Chavez’s criminal history showed he had been registered as a criminal on July 27, 2022, in Marion County. He was also currently on felony probation for possession of marijuana (more than 20 grams) until May 7, the report said.
Sanchez-Chavez was arrested on charges of drug equipment (possess or use) and probation violation. The Minnesota native was booked at the Sumter County Detention Center without bond.