A Bradenton, Florida man was arrested on drug-related charges after a verbal argument with his girlfriend led police to respond to his hotel.
Joseph Michael Gizzi, 28, was charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of marijuana under 20 grams and possession of synthetic narcotics over 10 grams.
Around 4:33 a.m., a Key West Police Department officer responded to the Gates Hotel after security employees reported a verbal argument between a boyfriend and girlfriend. The officer arrived to find Gizzi sitting at the front entrance with his girlfriend, who both stated they had been in an argument. The girlfriend reportedly threw Gizzi’s phone, but he declined to press charges, according to the report.
However, while speaking with Gizzi, the officer reported smelling a strong odor of marijuana. Gizzi admitted to having a small bag of marijuana in his suitcase, but added that he had a marijuana card, according to the report. Despite this, Gizzi also reportedly admitted that he didn’t obtain the marijuana from a legal dispensary.
A search of Gizzi’s duffel bag revealed 15 grams of marijuana, several hand-rolled cigars with 2.5 grams of marijuana, 26 hydrocodone pills and 16.5 alprazolam pills. Gizzi reportedly stated that he bought the pills from someone on the street, and admitted he didn’t have a prescription for either the alprazolam or the hydrocodone.
Gizzi was arrested and transported to the Monroe County Detention Center, where he was being held without bond.
Information in the Crime Report is obtained from reports provided by area law enforcement agencies.
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