A Yalaha man was arrested after an officer discovered a firearm and large quantities of marijuana in his vehicle during a traffic stop.
An officer observed the driver of a blue Nissan, later identified as 30-year-old Jordan Torrell Gray, traveling westbound on Urick Street around 8:45 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, according to an arrest report from the Fruitland Park Police Department.
As the vehicle approached the intersection of County Road 468, the officer watched it go over the clearly marked stop bar, which governed the intersection. The vehicle’s rear tires were completely over the stop bar, and the vehicle was partially in the intersection. The officer initiated a traffic stop near County Road 468 and Lewis Road as a result, the report said.
The officer turned on his lights to signal the vehicle to pull over, but the vehicle continued traveling southbound on County Road 468. It then turned east on Marcella Way and continued driving. The officer activated his siren, and the vehicle eventually pulled over, the report said.
Once the vehicle came to a stop, Gray got out and started arguing with the officer. Due to the vehicle not pulling over immediately and Gray getting out, the officer drew a firearm and ordered him back to the vehicle. Gray did not comply and instead walked away from the vehicle, the report said.
The officer detained Gray in handcuffs at that point, during which the front passenger got out of the vehicle through the driver’s door. Gray began telling her to exit and lock the doors. The officer ordered her to remain in the vehicle, and she complied. Once more officers arrived on scene, the officer spoke with the passenger to inquire as to why Gray did not pull over right away, the report said.
The passenger stated she told Gray he stopped past the stop bar and that he should pull over, but he did not. She was unsure as to why he did not initially stop. He had just picked her up from work and was taking her home, the report said.
While speaking with the passenger, the officer could smell the distinct odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, the report said. He asked her if there was any marijuana inside the vehicle, and she pointed to a partially smoked marijuana cigarette sitting near the center console area. He asked if she was smoking it, at which point he heard Gray say, “I was.”
The officer asked the passenger if she had a medical marijuana card, and she said no. He then asked her to get out of the vehicle and stand by his patrol vehicle, to which she complied, the report said.
The officer checked Gray’s driving history and learned his license was suspended for several reasons, including fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer on Oct. 7, 2021. He was also designated as a habitual traffic violator on March 23, 2017, the report said.
Based on there being a smoked marijuana cigarette within the vehicle and the passenger not having a medical marijuana card, the officer conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle. He found a loaded Sig Sauer P365 handgun underneath the driver’s seat within clear reach of Gray and a sealable pouch containing marijuana within the center console.
In the glove box was an empty box for a small digital scale and a glass smoking device. There were two plastic totes containing a large quantity of marijuana and a small digital scale inside a suitcase within the rear storage compartment. That compartment also had a notebook with a page titled “Owe Me” and several names listed with an amount next to it. The officer believed it to be a narcotic ledger used to keep track of sales, the report said.
As the officer removed the items and placed them on the hood of his patrol vehicle, the passenger became extremely emotional and surprised they were found inside the vehicle, the report said.
Based on the firearm being within Gray’s control, the officer asked the Lake County Sheriff’s Office dispatch to conduct a criminal history query on Gray. This revealed he had three prior felony convictions, the report said.
The officer read Gray his rights, which he understood, and he agreed to speak with law enforcement. He confirmed that he picked the passenger up for work. He was then asked about what items in the vehicle belonged to him, the report said.
Gray stated a few clothing items in the vehicle belonged to him, but when asked about the suitcases found in the back, he began to hesitate. He ultimately stated they did not belong to him, and several other people drove the vehicle. The officer asked about the firearm, and he immediately stated he did not want to talk anymore, the report said.
The New York native was subsequently arrested on charges of driving while license suspended (habitual) and possession of marijuana with intent to sell, firearm by convicted felon, drug paraphernalia and firearm during commission of felony. He was transported to Lake County Jail and released after posting $18,500 bond.