Two men with lengthy criminal histories were arrested after a loaded Glock handgun and drugs were found in their vehicle during a traffic stop on Wednesday in Citra.
Rashad Varqui Johnson, 27, of 4200 SE 22nd Ave. in Ocala, and Shune Defasco Polite, 27, of 17665 NE 37th Court in Citra, were both charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted Florida felon and carrying an unlicensed firearm. Johnson was also charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, and driving with a suspended license as a habitual offender.
Two Marion County sheriff’s deputies observed a black 2013 Nissan SUV turn northbound onto NE 22nd Court from NE 175th Street and then swerve off the roadway into the grass. They conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of NE 22 nd Court and U.S. Highway 301 and immediately noted the odor of fresh marijuana emitting from the vehicle, according to the sheriff’s office report.
When asked for his driver’s license, Johnson said he didn’t have one and he admitted it was suspended. A search of the vehicle turned up an electronic smoking device wedged in the cup holder in the center console in plain view. The device contained a thick, gold-colored liquid that appeared to be THC oil. Also found was a small fanny pack containing a clear plastic bag with a small amount of marijuana and Johnson’s wallet, which contained his Florida identification card, the report said.
Also found in the vehicle was a loaded Glock “Model 20” 10 mm handgun leaded with 11 rounds in the magazine and one round in the chamber. The firearm was located between the front passenger seat and the center console, with the slide of the weapon down and the butt of the gun facing up. The handgun was not securely encased in a holster or container and was concealed from view, according to the report.
Johnson and Polite both have multiple felony convictions and are not permitted by law to possess a firearm. Both were taken to the Marion County Jail, where Johnson is being held on $16,000 bond and Polite is being held on $12,000 bond. They’ll appear in Marion County Court on Oct. 22.