Holmes Beach police arrested Anna Maria resident Christopher Dodson, 40, Aug. 31 on a third-degree felony for an alleged third violation of driving with a suspended license.
Dodson also is charged with three second-degree misdemeanors, including:
- Driving with an expired license for more than 6 months;
- Failing to register motor vehicle;
- Attaching registration license plate that was not lawfully assigned.
An officer saw a motorist with illegal blue lights driving a motor scooter at around 10:51 p.m. and clocked them driving 38 mph in a 25-mph zone on Gulf Drive.
The officer conducted a traffic stop in the 6400 block of Gulf and spoke to the driver, Dodson, who said he did not know he needed a license to drive a scooter.
The officer determined that Dodson had been charged twice with driving with a suspended license.
He also found the scooter’s license plate was not registered to the vehicle.
The officer arrested Dodson and transported him Sept. 1 to the Manatee County jail, where he was released Sept. 6 after posting $2,950 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 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, Oct. 25, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
— Ryan Paice