Holmes Beach police arrested Bradenton resident Jarrod McKenzie, 32, April 28 on a second-degree misdemeanor for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol and marijuana.
McKenzie also was charged with first-degree misdemeanors for possessing less than 20 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
An officer saw a motorist driving a truck with a trailer cut off a low-speed vehicle making the turn from Gulf Drive South onto Manatee Avenue East and followed the motorists.
On noticing the truck’s trailer had only one functional brake light, the officer conducted a traffic stop.
The officer spoke to the driver, McKenzie, who had “slightly red and watery” eyes, breath that smelled of alcohol and slurred speech, according to a report.
The officer also saw cans of an alcoholic beverage inside McKenzie’s vehicle and noted “a very strong odor of freshly burned marijuana emitting from the vehicle,” according to a report.
The officer asked McKenzie about the marijuana odor.
McKenzie said he smoked and drank beer before driving.
He first told police he had a medical marijuana license but “then explained further that he does not think he has one.”
The officer asked McKenzie to perform field sobriety exercises, which he failed.
The officer arrested McKenzie and searched him, finding a plastic bag containing 4.1 grams of marijuana in his pocket.
The officer transported McKenzie to the Holmes Beach Police Department, where he refused to provide breath and urine samples.
Another officer searched McKenzie’s vehicle following the arrest and discovered a grinder containing marijuana, as well as a scale.
The items were placed in storage at the Holmes Beach Police Department.
An officer transported McKenzie to the Manatee County jail, where he was released April 29 after posting $620 bond.
If convicted, punishments for a first-degree misdemeanor include up to one year in jail, one year of probation 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 will be at 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 31, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.