A traffic stop in Ocala led to the arrest of a 40-year-old bicyclist after he was allegedly found in possession of fentanyl, drug paraphernalia, and a suspended driver’s license.
On Sunday, April 28, at around 5:15 a.m., a Marion County Sheriff’s Office sergeant was at the Circle K convenience store located in the 5200 block of S Pine Avenue in Ocala when a man with a backpack was observed riding a bicycle across the parking lot.
The arrest report stated that the sergeant recognized the bicyclist, identified as Peter John Medico, Jr., from “multiple previous law enforcement encounters.”
The sergeant watched as Medico exited the parking lot on the bicycle without coming to a full stop at the posted stop sign. The bicycle did not have a light on the front, and Medico allegedly continued pedaling across SE 52nd Street before traveling northbound on SE Highway 441, according to the report.
Medico then traveled westbound across all four lanes of SE Highway 441. He then continued heading northbound in the outside southbound lane, and the report stated that multiple vehicles had to swerve to avoid striking his bicycle.
The sergeant conducted a traffic stop of the bicycle in the 5100 block of SE Highway 441. The rider, Medico, handed his driver’s license to the sergeant, though he admitted that it was currently suspended.
During the traffic stop, the sergeant observed a backpack lying on the ground near Medico. The report stated that Medico proceeded to drop several items onto the ground near the backpack before walking away from that area.
Medico was detained in handcuffs. During a pat-down search of Medico, a cylindrical tube containing a powdery residue was allegedly found.
In addition, the sergeant located two pieces of aluminum foil lying on the ground next to the backpack that were “consistent with what (the sergeant) observed the defendant drop to the ground.” On one of those foil pieces, a white powdery substance was observed, according to the report.
Inside Medico’s backpack, the report stated that the sergeant located a small transparent baggie containing a white powdery substance and a half-used tube of aluminum foil.
The substances that were located in the baggie and on the piece of aluminum weighed a total of 6 grams and field-tested positive for fentanyl.
After being read his Miranda rights, Medico admitted to being a “drug addict” who uses fentanyl and heroin.
Medico was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail, where he is currently being held without bond. He is being charged with trafficking in fentanyl (4 grams or more), possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a knowingly suspended driver’s license.
A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 28, according to jail records.