An Ocala man, who was already in the midst of a court case, faces more than ten additional charges after he was found with drugs and a loaded handgun that was reported as lost from the Ocala Police Department.
A Marion County Sheriff’s officer conducting routine patrol on July 11 near NE 29th Street observed a vehicle with a blown-out brake light.
The deputy approached the vehicle on the passenger side and noticed 21-year-old Desmond Howard was not wearing a seatbelt. The deputy asked Howard why he didn’t have it on, and Howard was unable to give a reason. The deputy reported he went on to issue a traffic citation and while speaking with Howard, saw a black bag with a strap on it, according to the sheriff’s report.
The deputy conducted a search of the vehicle and found MDMA pills and, when another deputy tried to detain Howard, he fled the scene, according to the report.
The deputy was eventually able to catch him and place him into custody.
A further search of the vehicle revealed a plastic bag containing under 20 grams of marijuana, a loaded caliber handgun, MDMA pills and blue pills. The blue pills tested positive for THC, the report stated.
The firearm found was listed as a lost firearm out of the Ocala Police Department, revealed the report.
A computer check revealed Howard is currently on bond for a pending court case related to carrying a firearm and possession of marijuana.
Howard was transported to the Marion County Jail with a bond set at $14,000. He faces ten charges including drug possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and carrying a concealed weapon. A court date is set for August 10 at 9 a.m., jail records show