A habitual traffic violator from Palatka was arrested in Fort McCoy over the weekend after being pulled over on a stolen motorcycle with marijuana and methamphetamine.
Casey Judd Howe, 45, was charged with driving with a suspended license as a habitual offender, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine, grand theft of between $300 to $5,000, possession of drug equipment, and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.
A Marion County deputy and a trainee were on patrol Saturday night when they saw a white motorcycle with no tag traveling in the 29400 block of NE 133rd Street. They turned around and conducted a traffic stop in the 13400 block of NE 247th Court, according to the sheriff’s office report.
When asked for his driver’s license, registration and insurance card, Howe said his license was suspended. A computer check revealed Howe was classified as a habitual traffic violator in April 2016, and he was placed under arrest, the report said.
As the deputy and trainee were preparing to search the motorcycle, Howe told them he had marijuana and “ice” in his camouflage-colored fanny pack. The search turned two bags of a leafy substance that tested positive for marijuana (4 grams) and a bag of a white crystal substance that tested positive for methamphetamine (10.5 grams). They also found a blue container with four unused needles and a vape pen with a clear vial that contained a yellow liquid believed to be THC oil, according to the report.
A computer check of the motorcycle’s vehicle identification number showed the vehicle was reported stolen in Putnam County, and the sheriff’s office there confirmed it.
Howe was taken to the Marion County Jail, where he’s being held on $22,000 bond. He’ll appear in Marion County Court on Aug. 27.