A man who is accused of stealing a vehicle and having a gun and drugs could face felony life charges because he is a convicted felon.
Winter Haven police said they received a call about 8 p.m. Saturday from a man reporting a stolen vehicle.
The victim said he was with a female friend when she asked him to pick up a friend of hers dubbed ‘Junior,’ who is 29-year-old Kevin Smith.
The victim stated that he had no idea how to go to Smith’s house, so Smith took the wheel and drove there.
When authorities arrived at the home, Smith ordered the victim and his female friend ‘not to leave him’ but removed the keys from the ignition to prevent them from leaving.
He also removed his shirt to display a weapon in his waistband before entering the home, according to the Winter Haven Police Department.
The victim informed police that he and the woman fled because he was afraid they were in danger and that he would not be able to get his keys.
Officers arrived at the home after Smith had already departed, but with the assistance of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, they discovered him and arrested him.
Officers reported that after Smith was stopped, they discovered a baggie containing MDMA in his front pocket. Police stated they found other MDMA baggies in his car, as well as another baggie containing a white powdery drug classified as methamphetamine, syringes, and more fentanyl in the backpack.
After Smith was apprehended, police stated they discovered a weapon.
When questioned, Smith informed investigators that he was asked to hold the discovered narcotics and denied knowledge of the handgun.
Smith was charged with armed trafficking, fentanyl trafficking, felony handgun possession, and possession of narcotics paraphernalia.
Smith’s criminal history includes convictions for methamphetamine possession and burglary/robbery.
