The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
When the police pulled over a driver and reportedly found an assortment of drugs and paraphernalia, the suspect allegedly told them that what they assumed to be methamphetamine was breath mints.
32-year-old Stephen Whalen is from Tarpon Springs, Florida. It was reported that Whalen was incarcerated for a year and a half for a prior drug conviction, and he was released two years ago.
Whalen also had a prior encounter with the law that resulted in the loss of his driver’s license.
According to reports, in the afternoon on February 3, Whalen was allegedly out driving in a blue PT Cruiser.
An officer with the Tarpon Springs Police Department was out patrolling and reported that they recognized the man. The officer additionally said that they remembered Whalen had his driving privileges revoked.
A traffic stop was performed, and the officer positively identified Whalen as the driver of the vehicle.
When Whalen was asked why he was operating the vehicle without a valid license, he reportedly told the officer that his friend was in the hospital and needed his help.
It was reported that a backpack was found in the vehicle, and the authorities asserted that it belonged to Whalen.
When the police looked inside the bag, they allegedly discovered used syringes, a glass pipe with residue, a spoon that appeared to have been used for drugs, and 2.6 grams of methamphetamine.
The man chose to exercise his right to remain silent, but first reportedly told the authorities that the substance they believed to be meth was actually breath mints.
Whalen was placed under arrest and booked into the Pinellas County Jail. He is facing charges for felony possession of methamphetamine, felony possession of fentanyl, and possession of drug paraphernalia, in addition to a charge for driving without a license.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a drug offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.