Holmes Beach police arrested Bradenton residents Zachary Kelly, 23, and Richard Kelly III, 24, Sept. 29 on third-degree felony charges for possession of methamphetamine, a controlled substance.
Zachary Kelly also was charged with a second-degree misdemeanor for driving with a suspended license.
Richard Kelly III was additionally charged with two first-degree misdemeanors for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana.
An officer saw a motorist fail to stop at an inoperative traffic light, so he conducted a traffic stop.
The officer spoke with the driver, Zachary Kelly, who could not present a license.
The officer searched databases and found there was a warrant for Kelly’s arrest, so he handcuffed Kelly and placed him in the back of his police vehicle.
Another officer searched the vehicle and removed the passenger, Richard Kelly III, who had a glass smoking pipe in his pocket.
The officer handcuffed Kelly and placed him in the back of another police vehicle.
The officers searched the vehicle and found a glass bowl containing 1.2 grams of a crystal-like substance which tested positive for methamphetamine, a glass jar containing 7.6 grams of marijuana and a glass smoking pipe in the center console.
The officers placed the substances in evidence bags and spoke with the pair, who both denied owning the drugs.
The officers deemed both of them to be in “constructive possession” of the meth due to Zachary Kelly’s ownership of the vehicle and the discovery of a smoking pipe in Richard Kelly III’s pocket, according to a report.
The officer also issued citations to Zachary Kelly for failing to stop at an inoperative traffic light, as well as not displaying registration and having no proof of insurance upon request.
The officers arrested the pair and transported them to the Manatee County jail.
Zachary Kelly remained in custody as of Oct. 6 under a $620 bond.
Richard Kelly III was released Oct. 2 after posting a $2,500 bond.
If convicted, punishment for a third-degree felony charge includes up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
Punishment for a first-degree misdemeanor includes up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
Punishment for a second-degree misdemeanor includes up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.
An arraignment for the pair will be at 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 21, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.