MARION COUNTY DEPUTY FINDS 10 LBS MARIJUANA DURING TRAFFIC STOP

Around 3 p.m. on Monday, December 5, 2011, Deputy Trevor Fitzgerald conducted a traffic stop at 318 Oak Track Crescent, Marion County, involving  a white Chevrolet sedan for a tint violation. When the driver, Jeffrey Clarke, opened the door, Deputy Fitzgerald could smell a strong odor of marijuana and saw a plastic bag hanging out of Clarke’s pocket. Clarke was placed in handcuffs and put in the deputy’s patrol car.

While searching the car, deputies found several gallon-sized bags of marijuana. A duffle bag containing more bags of marijuana, pills and cocaine was located in the trunk. The marijuana was estimated to weigh 10 pounds total. Clarke had $3,980 cash in his pocket. 

When asked about the marijuana, Clarke said it was his and he had just picked it up.

Jeffrey Clarke, a black male, age 30, was charged with Possession of Marijuana ( >20 grams) w/ Intent to Sell; Possession of Cocaine w/ Intent to Sell; and Possession of a Controlled Substance w/o a Prescription.

Clarke has been arrested at least 8 previous times in Marion County for crimes ranging from Aggravated Battery, numerous drug charges including trafficking in Cocaine and Marijuana, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and several traffic violations.

Clarke was released on $12,000 bond later that evening.