A pair of Leesburg men were arrested after one was spotted driving without a license and the other with drugs during a traffic stop.
A deputy saw a grey 2013 Chevrolet truck disobey a stop sign at Lakeland Avenue and South Haines Creek Road in Leesburg around 3:05 a.m. Monday, according to an arrest report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. He quickly halted the vehicle and contacted the occupants, David Gene Price, 60, and Jonathan Joseph Belcher, 25.
The officer presented the reason for the stop to the driver, Price, who indicated that he was not paying attention while speaking with Belcher. He was questioned for his driver’s license but instead provided a Florida ID. The report states that he had two DUI offenses and four convictions for driving with a suspended license on August 9, 2023.
Meanwhile, Belcher was continually moving around in the front seat, placing his hands where the deputy couldn’t see. He had Belcher step out of the car, and he saw a small transparent baggie containing five blue tablets under his left thigh. The study eventually identified these as Xanax.
At that moment, the deputy took both occupants out of the truck and searched it. He also searched Belcher’s black backpack. It included an electronic scale and a grey box containing 38 little baggies, similar to those used for Xanax tablets. According to the investigation, before exiting the vehicle, Belcher claimed ownership of the backpack.
Belcher was then searched, revealing another plastic baggie containing five additional Xanax tablets. According to the report, his criminal history included charges for possession of controlled narcotics, trafficking methamphetamine, possession with intent to sell, and possession with intent to distribute.
Police arrested Price on charges of driving with a suspended license (third or subsequent violation). He was taken to the Lake County Jail and freed after posting a $2,500 bond.
Belcher was arrested and charged with possessing drug paraphernalia and Xanax. They transported him to jail on a $7,500 bond.
Both males have a criminal history. A deputy arrested Price in July 2024 after finding a skull-shaped smoking device in his truck. In January 2023, the police captured Belcher after he attempted to flee in a stolen vehicle carrying guns.
