Holmes Beach police arrested Brent Brice, 50, homeless, June 29 for contempt of court along with a third-degree felony charge for alleged possession of methamphetamine, a controlled substance.
Brice also was charged with a first-degree misdemeanor for possession of drug paraphernalia.
An officer found Brice sleeping on a bus bench around 11 p.m. and told him he was violating the city’s camping ordinance, according to the police report.
The officer learned through dispatch that there was a warrant for Brice’s arrest for panhandling.
The officer handcuffed Brice and searched his backpack, finding a glass pipe and a plastic bag containing “a white gum-like substance.” He took samples of residue from the pipe and the bagged substance, which tested positive for methamphetamine.
The officer transported Brice to the Holmes Beach Police Department for processing and found the bagged substance weighed 300 milligrams.
The officer confiscated the substance and pipe and placed it in an evidence locker, then transported Brice to the Manatee County jail, where he remained in custody with a $1,620 bond as of July 7.
If convicted, punishment for a third-degree felony charge includes up to five years in prison or probation and a fine of up to $5,000.
Punishment for a first-degree misdemeanor includes up to one year in jail and up to a $1,000 fine.
Arraignment will be at 8:55 a.m. Friday, July 22, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
— Ryan Paice