Holmes Beach police arrested Cameron Leffert, 23, of Bradenton, Nov. 15 for alleged felony possession of Alprazolam, a controlled substance, without a prescription.
Leffert was a passenger in a vehicle driven by a motorist stopped by police and cited for speeding around 2:55 a.m.
During the stop, police asked about any illegal substances in the vehicle and the driver consented to a search, according to the police report.
Police reported finding a bag containing one and a half pills in the passenger door, within reach of Leffert and later identified as Alprazolam 2 milligram tablets.
Leffert allegedly first denied knowing about the bag but then said the driver had handed him the bag to hide, according to the report.
The officers arrested Leffert and transported him to the Manatee County jail, where he was released the same day after posting $1,500 bond.
If convicted, punishment for a third-degree felony includes up to five years in prison, five years of probation and a fine of up to $5,000.
An arraignment was not been scheduled as of Nov. 17.
The driver was released from the scene.
— Ryan Paice