Traffic Stop Leads to an Arrest in Marianna Florida

Matt Boster

Viewed: 3430

Posted by: Matt Boster
Date: Feb 27 2014 4:18 PM

On February 26^th, 2014 at approximately 7:18pm, Officers with the Marianna Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a blue in color, Buick passenger vehicle for the traffic infraction of an inoperable front headlight. Prior to stopping the vehicle on Hall Street, the vehicle drove into the opposing lane of travel. The vehicle also left the roadway off the right shoulder of the road.

Upon the vehicle coming to a stop on Hall Street, Officers made contact with the driver of the vehicle, Shenequa Curry. While the officer was speaking with Curry, it was learned that Curry swapped seats with the subject who was driving prior to the stop, Michael Benbow Jr. Benbow didn’t possess a valid driver’s license and was placed under arrest for it.

At the time Benbow was placed under arrest, Officers were able to locate a small plastic bag which contained trace amounts of marijuana, in the front passenger seat of the vehicle. Due to officers observing the plastic bag with marijuana in it in plain view, a search of the vehicle was conducted. During the search, officers located several empty plastic bags scattered throughout the vehicle.

Due to the bags being scattered throughout the vehicle, officers began to canvass the area of Old Cottondale Road, where the vehicle left the roadway several times. Officers located a large quantity of individually wrapped plastic bags along the side of the roadway which were found to contain marijuana.

Upon conclusion of the investigation of the illegal narcotics, officers were able to charge Benbow and Curry with the narcotics. Due to The Sanctuary, a worship center, being located within 1000ft of where the narcotics were disposed of on Old Cottondale Road, Benbow and Curry are being charged with Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute within 1000ft of a Worship Center. The two were also charged with Tampering with Physical Evidence.

Both subjects were transported to the Jackson County Correctional Facility to await first appearance. Upon Curry being searched by Correctional Officers at the Jackson County Correctional Facility, she was found to be in possession of Crack Cocaine. Curry was subsequently charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (Crack Cocaine) and Introduction of Contraband into a Correctional Facility.

Arrestee: Shenequa Lavon Curry B/F 22YOA

2825 Rockwell Street Apt. A

Marianna, Florida 32448

Charges: -Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute within 1000ft of a Worship Center

-Tampering With Physical Evidence

-Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sale (Crack Cocaine)

-Introduction of Contraband Into a Correctional Facility

Arrestee: Michael Jerome Benbow Jr. B/M 28YOA

2923 Milton Avenue

Marianna, Florida 32448

Charges: -Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute within 1000ft of a Worship Center

-Tampering With Physical Evidence