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Friday, March 29, 2024

Ocala man arrested after leaving drug-filled syringe inside patrol car

A 35-year-old Ocala man was arrested after leaving a drug-filled syringe in the back of a patrol car.

On Monday, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy observed a black Chevrolet Malibu traveling westbound around the 5300 block of East Silver Springs Boulevard in Silver Springs.

According to the MCSO report, the deputy noticed that the window tint appeared to be darker than regulation and pulled over the vehicle.

Using a tint meter, the deputy determined that the driver’s side window tint was at three percent. The deputy returned to the patrol car to write a warning to the driver.

A K-9 deputy was on patrol with the deputy, and the K-9 conducted an open-air sniff of the vehicle. The presence of drugs was detected.

The vehicle’s two passengers were detained inside the patrol car while the vehicle was searched. One of those passengers, Leslie Van Sweet, Jr., was placed in the patrol car’s rear left passenger seat.

Ocala man detained in patrol car leaves drug filled syringe in back seat
Leslie Van Sweet, Jr.

During the vehicle search, no drugs were located, and the deputy released Sweet and the other passenger. While looking at the back seat of the patrol car, the deputy spotted a clear syringe containing a tan liquid in-between the seat cushions where Sweet had been detained.

The syringe field tested posted for fentanyl.

Sweet was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail. On the way to the jail, he told the deputy that the syringe had fallen out of his pocket and that he did not place it between the seats.

He is currently being held on $4,000 bond and faces felony charges for possession of a controlled substance without prescription and concealing evidence.

A court date has been scheduled for December 28 at 9 a.m., according to jail records.