Suspect Connected to Drug Overdoses in Leon County Arrested

July 22, 2022 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, Drug Charges, News & Announcements Social Share

Two individuals in Leon County have now been arrested and charged with multiple counts of drug possession and trafficking. After the Leon County Sheriff’s Office’s Narcotics Unit obtained a warrant during a drug investigation, they found two people with a large quantity of drugs in their possession.

Now that the two individuals have been arrested, we will cover the details of the case, along with information regarding statistics on drug overdoses in Leon County, as well as possible defenses to drug charges in Florida.

The Arrest

On July 12^th, 2022, the Narcotics Unit of Leon County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) executed a search warrant because of a current narcotics investigation in relation to several drug overdoses in the county. After obtaining a search warrant for a hotel room on North Monroe Street, police found and arrested Timothy Gay, 44.

The authorities found 37 grams of methamphetamine in Gay’s possession. After doing a thorough search of his hotel room, an additional 89 grams of methamphetamine were found. There were also three grams of fentanyl found that belonged to Gay.

Another suspect was found in the room with Gay—Cierra Roylance, 26. Roylance has also been arrested and faces several drug charges, along with other charges related to multiple active warrants.

Both suspects have been taken into custody at the Leon County Detention Facility. Sheriff Walt McNeil gave the following comment regarding drug related crimes in the county: “These drugs have proven to be deadly, and we will not tolerate distribution in our community. We ask any citizen aware of drug activity to report it to law enforcement or anonymously to CrimeStoppers at (850) 574-TIPS.

The following are a full list of charges for both Gay and Roylance:

Gay’s Charges:

• 2 counts of Amphetamine-Traffic or Methamphetamine 14 grams or over
• Possession of Controlled Substance
• 2 counts of Possession of Paraphernalia

Roylance’s Charges:

• Amphetamine-Traffic or Methamphetamine 14 grams or over
• Battery
• Possession of Alprazolam
• Possession of Cocaine
• Possession of Controlled Substance
• Possession of Paraphernalia

Drug Charges in Florida

Drug charges are taken very seriously in Florida. However, the city of Tallahassee also has one of the highest crime rates due to the suspicion of drug trafficking in the city. Drug charges can very depending on the quantity of drugs found on an individual, and the type of drug. You can read about the drug schedule in Florida and how it ranks drugs on severity.

Although many people assume that drug charges are black and white, it is more complicated than that. Unfortunately, many people in Leon County are arrested for the first time due to being accused of a drug crime. Although it may feel impossible, there are potential defenses to a drug charge. The following is a list of potential defenses to a drug charge in Florida:

• Constitutional Challenge – If any of your rights have been violated during a search, warrant, or traffic stop, evidence of a drug crime may be suppressed. This can result in a lesser sentence or even charges to get dropped.
• Valid Prescription – If you have a valid prescription from a doctor for the controlled substance it could be a defense to your case.
• Constructive Possession – If a controlled substance is simply found near someone but without being in physical control of the substance, it could be a potential defense.
• Factual Defense – This depends on the type of drug charge a person receives, but in some cases the identity of someone or the knowledge of drug possession could be incorrect, meaning a defense to the charge.

To find out more about drug charges and its penalties and defenses, find our informative page here.

Finding a Defense Attorney in Tallahassee, Florida

Getting accused of a drug crime is a very serious offense in the state of Florida. Depending on the type and quantity of controlled substance, you could face extremely harsh consequences such as expensive fines and potential jail time. In addition, a criminal drug charge could prevent you from being able to get a job or a house in the future. There is also the stigma of having a drug charge on your criminal record. There is clearly a lot at risk. If you or a loved one are accused of a drug crime, it is in your best interest to seek out the help of a skilled Tallahassee criminal defense attorney. Don Pumphrey and his team at Pumphrey Law Firm have experience representing clients all across Florida for various crimes. We will work tirelessly to build a strong defense for your case and will stand by your side throughout the entire legal process. For a free consultation call (850) 681-7777 or leave an online message today.

Written by Karissa Key

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