A 22-year-old Bradenton Beach man was arrested Oct. 5 for felony possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of marijuana.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Joseph Gaston, 2413 Ave. C., Bradenton Beach, was riding his bicycle in the 8600 block of Cortez Road West, Bradenton. A Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was passing by when he noticed Gaston riding without lights.
The deputy initiated contact and asked if Gaston had identification. As he pulled out his wallet to present his identification, the deputy observed a plastic bag containing 3.5 grams of a green, leafy substance that later field-tested positive for marijuana.
According to the police report, Gaston spontaneously said, “I thought I left that at home.”
While further investigating, the deputy allegedly found three pills in Gaston’s wallet marked with the letter “M.”
The deputy determined the pills to be morphine sulfate.
Gaston was arrested and transported to the Manatee County jail where he was held on $2,000 bond. According to the jail website, he posted bond and was released the following the day.
Gaston is scheduled to be arraigned at 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 25 at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.