Kenneth David Hayes, 35, of Ocala, was arrested Sunday on a charge of trafficking in fentanyl after a traffic stop in southeast Ocala allegedly led deputies to recover more than 14 grams of the drug, along with marijuana and other evidence of drug distribution, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the arrest affidavit, a deputy initiated a traffic stop shortly after 3:35 p.m. near Midway Road and Southeast Maricamp Road after observing an SUV with window tint darker than permitted by Florida law and multiple lane changes. Deputies measured the driver’s side window at 15% light transmittance, below the legal limit.
The driver initially identified himself using another person’s name and presented information that corresponded to a valid Florida driver’s license. After a K-9 deputy conducted a free-air sniff, the dog alerted to the vehicle, providing probable cause for a search, according to the report.
Deputies reported finding a glass pipe, a bag containing marijuana weighing approximately 25.93 grams, a white rock-like substance that field-tested positive for fentanyl and weighed approximately 14.13 grams, a digital scale and multiple plastic baggies. A passenger also told deputies the driver had provided a false name and identified him as Kenneth David Hayes.
The affidavit states Hayes later admitted he had given deputies the wrong name. While being transported to the Marion County Jail, Hayes allegedly told deputies he was “going to prison now because of the methamphetamine found in the vehicle,” although the substance recovered field-tested positive for fentanyl, according to the report.
Investigators determined Hayes did not possess a valid Florida driver’s license and instead held only a Florida identification card with an active driver’s license suspension.
Hayes was arrested on charges of trafficking in fentanyl, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, knowingly driving while license suspended or revoked as a second or subsequent offense, providing false identification to law enforcement and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was transported to the Marion County Jail without incident.
