Sarasota FL: Police
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Partnership Policing Communications Coordinator (PIO)
Genevieve Judge
Desk Phone: 941-954-7094
Fax: 941-954-7034
Genevieve.Judge@SarasotaFL.gov
Palmetto men arrested on charges of trafficking cocaine & facing additional felony charges
Randy Kelly, 21, and Reggie Grier, 25, both of Palmetto, have been arrested and are facing multiple felony charges, including trafficking cocaine, after a traffic stop on Wednesday, May 5, 2021.
On May 5, 2021, just before 1 a.m., Sarasota Police officers noticed a vehicle, a Dodge Charger, driving near the intersection of Central Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Way in the City of Sarasota. As officers drove behind the vehicle south on Central, the vehicle abruptly stopped in the middle of the road, crossing the double yellow line. After a few seconds, the vehicle then drove south, turned east on 25th Street and was stopped by officers.
During an investigation, officers found 42.2 grams of powder Cocaine, 11.9 grams of rock Cocaine, a firearm loaded with a round in the chamber in a backpack, marijuana, a digital scale, empty pill containers and pills that were later determined to be Acetaminophen/Oxycodone, a scheduled II narcotic. A wanted check of the firearm was completed and it was found to be stolen out of Manatee County.
Grier, the driver, was arrested and charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance (one for the oxycodone and one for the Cocaine), one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, and one count of no valid driver’s license. Additionally, Grier was issued a traffic citation for a window tint violation and a written warning for failing to drive in a single lane.
Kelly, the passenger, who has three felony convictions, was arrested and charged with one count of trafficking in cocaine (armed), one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, one count of possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell. Additionally, Kelly was issued a Marijuana civil citation.
Grier and Kelly were both transported to the Sarasota County Jail without incident. Grier has bonded out and Kelly is being held on an $85,000 bond. Booking photos can be found on the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office website.
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