The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office arrested a convicted felon on drug and weapons charges Tuesday following a traffic stop.

 

Just before 3:00 a.m., patrol deputies on southbound I-75 near mile marker 205 initiated a traffic stop on a white sedan with an unassigned license plate. Deputies learned the driver, Juan Martinez, DOB 12/14/81, was driving on a suspended license. After Martinez exited the car, deputies observed a loaded handgun along with more than 170 grams of methamphetamine, a trafficking amount, on the floorboard near the driver’s seat. During a search of the vehicle, a backpack containing additional ammunition, a loaded BB gun and drug paraphernalia was located inside the trunk.

 

Martinez, of 820 S. Orange Avenue in Arcadia, was arrested and taken to the Sarasota County Jail. He has nine prior felony convictions and is now charged with Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Possession of a Firearm While Trafficking, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Driving While License Suspended. Martinez remains in custody today without bond.