Holmes Beach police arrested Port Charlotte resident Troy Lantz, 52, July 2 on a third-degree felony charge for allegedly possessing cocaine, a controlled substance.
Lantz also was charged with a first-degree misdemeanor for allegedly resisting or obstructing police without violence.
An officer saw a motorist proceed through a flashing red traffic light at the intersection of Gulf Drive and Manatee Avenue without stopping around 1 a.m., according to an HBPD report.
The officer conducted a traffic stop and spoke with the driver, Lantz, who spoke with a slurred voice and had “red and glassy” eyes, according to the report.
The officer reported seeing Lantz grab a small plastic bag containing a white substance from the vehicle’s center console and place it on the floorboard.
The officer asked Lantz to exit the vehicle and went to handcuff him, but Lantz pulled away and tried to get back in his vehicle.
The officer called for backup and continued to struggle with Lantz until additional officers arrived and helped remove Lantz from the vehicle.
The officers handcuffed Lantz and searched his vehicle, finding 1.1 grams of a white powdery substance that later tested positive for cocaine.
The officers arrested Lantz and brought him back to the HBPD, where Manatee County Emergency Medical Services medically cleared Lantz.
The substance was placed in police storage.
An officer then transported Lantz to the Manatee County jail. He was released the same day after posting $2,000 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.
An arraignment will be at 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 11, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
