Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Holmes Beach residents Christian Chamberlain, 33, and
Stephen Orlando, 31, Oct. 3 on third-degree felonies for alleged possession of controlled substances, ecstasy and fentanyl, and alleged destruction of evidence.
A deputy saw a motorist around 1 a.m. driving a vehicle with an obstructed tag in the left lane when there was no traffic in the right lane, according to a law enforcement report.
According to the report, the deputy conducted a traffic stop and called for backup before speaking with the driver, Orlando, and his passenger, Chamberlain.
While the deputy asked for documentation, two K9 officers from the Key West Police Department had a dog conduct an air sniff of Orlando’s vehicle. The dog provided a positive alert to the presence of narcotics inside.
Law enforcement officers searched the vehicle while another office stood with Chamberlain and Orlando.
They found a plastic bag containing 1.07 grams of a brown substance which field-tested positive for fentanyl inside a soda can in the driver’s side cupholder.
Police also found a grocery bag containing a rocky white substance which field-tested positive for MDMA mixed into a cup of ice cream in the passenger-side cupholder.
They both admitted to trying to conceal the bags, according to a report.
The deputy arrested Chamberlain and Orlando and transported them to the Monroe County Detention Center, where they were released the same day after posting $20,000 bonds.
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 for Chamberlain was set for Oct. 10 at the Monroe County Courthouse, 302 Fleming St., Key West.
An arraignment for Orlando will be at 8:45 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at the courthouse.