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Ocala
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Bicyclist caught with cocaine, marijuana, and fentanyl in Ocala

A 29-year-old bicyclist was arrested in Ocala after cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana were found in his backpack during a traffic stop for a rear light violation.

On Friday, May 19, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy conducted a traffic stop of a bicyclist, identified as Charles Bernard Thomas, Jr., near the intersection of NE 20th Avenue and NE 50th Place. The arrest report stated that the bike did not have a functioning rear light in accordance with Florida Statutes.

Charles Bernard Thomas, Jr.
Charles Bernard Thomas, Jr.

A criminal history search of Thomas revealed that he had an active warrant in Marion County for a child support case. A second deputy arrived at the scene of the traffic stop and attempted to secure Thomas in handcuffs.

The MCSO report stated that Thomas began to “actively and willfully resist” the deputies, and he attempted to flee on foot. One of the deputies escorted Thomas to the ground, handcuffed him, and placed him in the back of a patrol car.

Thomas had a backpack in his possession. According to the MCSO report, a search of the backpack was conducted and the following items were located: a clear plastic bag containing a white rock-like substance that field-tested for cocaine (weight: 7.62 grams), and a clear plastic bag containing a green leafy substance that field-tested positive for marijuana and fentanyl (weight: 3.8 grams).

After being read his Miranda rights, Thomas refused to speak with the deputies. He was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail.

While at the jail, Thomas admitted that he had additional contraband inside his left sock. The MCSO report stated that a plastic wrapper containing a white powdery residue was recovered from his sock, and the residue field-tested positive for cocaine.

Thomas is currently being held at Marion County Jail on $6,000 bond. He is facing separate felony charges for possession of fentanyl and cocaine, along with misdemeanor charges for possession of marijuana (20 grams or less), possession of drug paraphernalia, and resisting an officer without violence.

A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 20, according to jail records.