Holmes Beach police arrested Briana Dalrymple, 37, of Kissimmee, May 26 on a third-degree felony for possession of methamphetamine.
Dalrymple also was charged with a first-degree misdemeanor for possession of drug paraphernalia and a second-degree misdemeanor for knowingly driving with a suspended license.
An officer saw a motorist with an obscured license plate leaving a public park upon his arrival, so he conducted a traffic stop and called for backup.
After speaking with the driver, Dalrymple, the officer issued her a citation for a tag violation and court summons for knowingly driving on a suspended license.
Dalrymple became “visibly upset” and walked away from her vehicle, leaving the door open and a plastic bag containing a crystal-like substance — which later tested positive for methamphetamine — visible on the driver-side floorboard.
Two officers searched the vehicle and found a glass pipe on the driver-side floorboard.
The officers found a second pipe under a front-seat passenger, who also had a black tube containing methamphetamine residue in a pocket in his clothing.
The officers also found a backpack containing two bags of marijuana, paraphernalia, $1,150 and service paperwork with the passenger’s name on it.
The passenger claimed ownership of the marijuana and marijuana-related paraphernalia but did not have a valid medical marijuana license.
The officers issued a court summons for two counts of possessing drug paraphernalia to the passenger, who was released from the scene.
The officers arrested Dalrymple, who denied ownership of any drugs and claimed she and her passenger switched seats since she was the only one who had a license.
An officer transported Dalrymple to the Manatee County jail, where she was released the same day after posting $2,120 bond.
If convicted, punishment for a third-degree felony charge includes up to five years in prison, five years of probation and a fine of up to $5,000.
Punishment for a first-degree misdemeanor includes 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, six months of probation and a fine of up to $500
An arraignment will be at 9 a.m. Friday, July 7, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.