A Century man is facing drug charges and was arrested Oct. 9, following a traffic stop in Milton on August 25 where officers searching the vehicle discovered meth.
John Steven Crawley, 47, 414 Front St., was a passenger in a Mazda Miata on Avalon Blvd. when an officer who knew driver Annalisa Mcbroom's license was expired, according to a Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office report.
Mcbroom turned onto Frontage Road and stopped her vehicle of her own accord in the middle of the roadway, impeding traffic, the report said. The officer then approached the passenger side and smelled alcohol coming from the inside of the vehicle.
The report stated the officer observed an open beer container inside the cup holder. When the officer asked Mcbroom for her driver's license, proof of insurance and vehicle registration, she was unable to present these items, the report said.
When the officer asked Mcbroom why she stopped in the middle of the road, she told the officer she knew he was behind her and wanted to talk to him about an arrest he made of one of her narcotics associates, Van. The report said when the officer asked whose beer was there, Crawley said it belonged to him.
The officer observed how nervous the driver and passenger were as he spoke to them, that their hands were visibly shaking. The report said the officer said based on passed dealings with Mcbroom and the vehicle, he suspected narcotics were in the car.
The officer asked if there was anything illegal in the vehicle and was given permission to search. The report stated the officer observed Crawley attempting to conceal something between the passenger door and passenger seat. The officer then asked Crawley to step out of the vehicle, concerned about a potential firearm or weapon, the report said.
As soon as the officer opened the door, he observed in plain view a plastic baggy containing crystal-like substance (methamphetamine) in between the passenger seat and passenger door frame, the report said.
A backpack as also located on the passenger floorboard, which Crawley stated was his. Crawley consented to the officer searching the backpack and inside the officer found a plastic baggy and plastic straw, which contained meth residue inside the backpack, the report said.
Crawley was placed in handcuffs and as the officer retrieved the baggy of meth, Crawley became emotional and stated the narcotics were not his, the report stated.
Crawley was released pending further investigation and later arrested Oct. 9 for one count felony drug possession without a prescription and one count misdemeanor drug equipment possession. He was transported to Santa Rosa County Jail,and given $3,000 bond.
