An Ocala man claiming to work for the FBI was arrested at a Silver Springs motel Monday night.
A deputy was called to the Sun Plaza Motel, located at 5461 E Silver Springs Blvd., in reference to man who was trespassing at the location. When he arrived shortly before 8:30 p.m., he immediately recognized 27-year-old Justin Anthony Mendez from a previous incident at the motel. The deputy then confirmed that Mendez was trespassed from the location on Oct. 5, a sheriff’s office report states.
The deputy searched Mendez before placing him inside his patrol vehicle and located a hypodermic needle in his front left pocket. After being read his rights, Mendez said he didn’t know what the needle would test positive for but “he works for the FBI and he obtained it from them,” the report says.
After a field test of the needle residue tested positive for methamphetamine, Mendez was transported to the Marion County Jail and charged with trespassing of an occupied structure or conveyance and possession of drug equipment. He was being held on $2,000 bond.
Mendez is no stranger to the Marion County legal system, having been in the jail 10 times since May 2011. In September, he was arrested for trespassing and pleaded guilty/no contest, court records show.
Mendez also has been found guilty of several other crimes. Those include:
- Possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell (July 3, 2014);
- Burglary of a conveyance and grand theft (Feb. 24, 2014);
- Failure to replace his driver’s license/sticker after a change of address (Jan. 3, 2012);
- Possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia (July 27, 2011);
- Battery (June 8, 2011); and
- Driving without a license (Dec. 2, 2010).