A Fredericksburg, Virginia man was arrested on Sunday night after a deputy found more than 30 grams of methamphetamine, 13 grams of marijuana and paraphernalia in his vehicle.
William John Garwood, 58, was charged with petit theft, failure to register a motor vehicle, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and trafficking methamphetamine.
A Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputy was patrolling U.S. 1 when he noticed a vehicle stopped by a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer at the Trading Post in Islamorada. The deputy stopped to assist and met with the driver, identified as Garwood. When the deputy confirmed the license plate with dispatch, they advised the plate was reported stolen out of Sumter County, Florida.
The deputy read Garwood his Miranda rights, and Garwood agreed to speak with him. He said he had just driven from Wildwood, Florida to Monroe County, but added that he had recently purchased his vehicle in Virginia. The deputy asked if the license plate came with the vehicle, and Garwood stated he put it on himself, after getting it from his girlfriend in Wildwood.
However, he later said that he stole the plate from her while she wasn’t home, according to the report.
The deputy arrested Garwood for petit theft of the license plate, but the subsequent search of his vehicle revealed more serious offenses. According to the report, the deputy found 34.1 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 13.3 grams of marijuana and three pipes.
Garwood was arrested and transported to the Monroe County Detention Center, where he was being held on $106,000.
Information in the Crime Report is obtained from reports provided by area law enforcement agencies.
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