On Thursday evening, around 7:45 p.m. a Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office deputy assigned to the Interstate Criminal Enforcement team stopped a vehicle on Interstate 75 for speeding at 95 miles-per-hour.
While speaking with the driver, Jacqueline Sotolongo, 27, of Lake Whales, Fla., the deputy noticed a smell of marijuana from inside the car. The deputy also learned that Sotolongo’s driver’s license had been suspended.
A search of the vehicle was conducted, and deputies located a small quantity of marijuana and a grinder used for processing marijuana.
As they continued their search, the deputies located numerous credit cards embossed with various person’s names, an encoding device for encoding credit/debit cards, ledger books that had a large amount of person’s names, date of birth and Social Security numbers, a computer and a handgun.
Jacqueline Sotolongo and the passenger, Timothy Bell, 28, of Orlando, Fla., were placed under arrest and taken to the Lowndes County Jail.
Sotolongo has been charged with driving too fast for conditions and driving with a suspended license, reports stated.
Bell has been charged with financial transaction card forgery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, forgery and possession of marijuana, reports stated.
Sheriff Chris Prine said, “The trends in the drug trade is changing, and we are seeing more and more of the financial crimes used in their business. These crimes not only effect Lowndes County citizens but have a far reach. To be able to close this operation down and take their tools is fantastic. This is another great job by the I.C.E. team deputies. This investigation is very much ongoing and we expect additional charges as we continue to examine the evidence. We will also be reaching out to other agencies including the United States Secret Service.”
Anyone with information about this or any other incident can contact the Sheriff’s Office at {229} 671-2950; or anonymous tips can be provided at {229} 671-2985 or on-line at www.lowndessheriff.com. The Sheriff’s Office is also accessible on Facebook.
Release from the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office
