Couple Arrested for Trafficking in Meth


News Release #: 17-122 - MAY 22, 2017

Ryan Pestian   Sara Ryan
Ryan Pestian                                                       Sara Ryan

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Sarasota couple Saturday night on felony drug charges after deputies found trafficking amounts of methamphetamine in their car.

Deputies were first alerted to Ryan Pestian, DOB 10/26/81, and Sara Ryan, DOB 07/07/87, just after 11:30 p.m., when a citizen called 911 to report the duo appeared to be in an altercation in the parking lot of a gas station in the 5700 block of Bee Ridge Road in Sarasota. When deputies made contact with the couple, they noticed a large plastic pipe on the passenger side floorboard. Upon search of the vehicle, deputies discovered rubber tubing that connected the pipe to a Styrofoam cup with a lid and straw, in one of the cup holders. Deputies also recovered more than 19 grams of methamphetamine and heroin in small baggies as well as various drug paraphernalia. While being taken into custody, deputies found a fully loaded handgun in Pestian’s waistband.

The couple was arrested and booked into the Sarasota County Jail. Pestian is charged with Armed Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Possession of Heroin, and Possession of Narcotic Equipment. Ryan is charged with Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Narcotic Equipment and Domestic Battery. Both remain in custody today without bond.