A Florida man is facing several charges after a traffic stop over a broken headlight led police to discover packaged cannabis, a digital scale, and other drug paraphernalia.
The Clewiston Police Department said the incident happened on Oct. 13 around 7:25 p.m. Patrol officers were conducting traffic enforcement along U.S. Highway 27 near W.C. Owen Avenue when they spotted a black Infiniti with a broken headlight.
Officers pulled the vehicle over and approached the driver, whom they identified as Randy Rhames Jr. As they made contact with Rhames, police say officers reportedly spotted suspected narcotics in plain view on the center console.
Clewiston police also said they determined that Rhames had never been issued a valid Florida driver’s license. Additional patrol units arrived to assist with the investigation, which led to a search of his vehicle.
The Discovery
During the search, officers recovered packaged cannabis, rolling papers, a digital scale with residue, dozens of individual baggies, and a transaction ledger, according to the police department.
Police said the ledger indicated narcotics distribution within the community. The amount of cannabis recovered was not specified, nor did police provide further details about the transactions recorded in the ledger.
Officers arrested Rhames without further incident, and he was booked into the Hendry County Jail on Oct. 13 at 8:06 p.m., according to booking information. His custody status is listed as “out,” indicating that he is no longer in custody.
The Charges
Police said Rhames was charged with possession of cannabis with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of cannabis under 20 grams, and operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license.
The intent-to-sell charge is the most serious of the four listed offenses. Florida Statute 893.13 classifies possessing cannabis with the intent to sell it unlawfully as a third-degree felony. If convicted, Rhames could face up to five years in prison.
Florida law also classifies possession of drug paraphernalia as a first-degree misdemeanor. Possession of 20 grams or less of cannabis is also listed as a first-degree misdemeanor.
Driving without a valid license when a person has never been issued one is generally a second-degree misdemeanor for a first conviction in Florida.
Rhames faces one third-degree felony, two first-degree misdemeanors, and one second-degree misdemeanor, based on the charges listed by police.
Rhames is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.