Man arrested for illegal firearm possession

A 32-year-old Big Pine Key man was arrested early Friday morning for being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun.

Elio Lazaro Hernandez was arrested by Deputy Jennifer Hughes at Mile Marker 32 after Deputy Tim Oggeri has just issued a be-on-the-lookout alert for Hernandez. Deputy Oggeri reported seeing Hernandez drive away from a Big Pine Key gas station while behind the wheel of a BMW. Deputy Oggeri knew Hernandez from previous encounters with law enforcement and knew that Hernandez’s driver’s license was suspended.

Deputy Hughes saw a BMW matching the description provided by Deputy Oggeri. Deputy Hughes performed a traffic stop at approximately 12:52 a.m. Hernandez was driving. There was a female passenger.

Deputy Hughes asked both if they had a medical marijuana card as the vehicle smelled of marijuana and there were the remnants of cigar wrapper packaging commonly used to roll marijuana in plain view. Both stated they did not have a medical marijuana card. Deputy Hughes found numerous previously smoked marijuana cigarettes — or “roaches” in common parlance — inside the car as well as loose marijuana commonly referred to as “shake” on the seats and floorboards.

A loaded 9mm Hi-Point pistol was found under the driver’s seat.

Hernandez was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Hernandez was previously convicted of aggravated assault and resisting arrest with violence in 2011 in Broward County.

Hernandez was taken to jail.

The female passenger was not charged.

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