Upper Keys teens arrested after guns/drugs found

 

A 16-year-old and an 18-year-old were arrested Wednesday night after Deputies found two handguns and marijuana in a car in Key Largo.

 

Luke Eric Townsend, 18, of Tavernier, was charged with possession of a marijuana vape pen without a prescription and contributing to the delinquency of a minor(s).

 

The 16-year-old male Key Largo resident was charged with possession of a concealed firearm without a valid concealed carry license, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana and possession of marijuana paraphernalia (a pipe).

 

Deputy Joel Torres was patrol at 7:30 p.m. when he received a call of a suspicious vehicle — a silver Nissan with several juveniles inside — at Newport Village, 101009 Overseas Highway. The reporting person stated the juveniles appeared to be doing drugs. Deputy Torres responded to that location. He was soon joined by Deputy Ignacio Molina. The deputies found five, male subjects in the car with ages ranging from 16 to 19. The 16-year-old arrested was the driver. Townsend was sitting in the front passenger seat. All five were asked to exit the vehicle as the Deputies smelled marijuana and were conducting a search.

 

The following were found inside the car:

 

  • A loaded .38-caliber GLOCK® semi-automatic pistol was located on the floorboard between the center console and the driver’s seat.
  • A loaded .380-caliber Smith & Wesson® revolver was found in the front passenger glove box.
  • A vape pen that test positive for marijuana was found in the center console.
  • A small amount of leaf marijuana was found in tin foil in the center console.
  • A small glass water pipe or bong was found in a backpack located in the back seat. The backpack also contained school documents with the 16-year-old arrestee’s name on them.

 

A 17-year-old told Deputy Torres the group had been smoking a joint prior to the Deputies’ arrival.

 

The 16-year-old male who was arrested stated the marijuana wrapped in foil belonged to him.

 

The 16-year-old told Deputy Torres the GLOCK® pistol belonged to him as he found it in the Everglades about two weeks ago. He stated he was being threatened by some people and felt he needed the gun for his protection.

 

Townsend told Deputy Torres the Smith & Wesson® revolver and the vape pen belonged to him.

 

Townsend and the 16-year-old were taken to jail whereupon the Department of Juvenile Justice was notified of the 16-year-old’s case as were his parents. The 16-year-old was placed in the custody of the DJJ.

 

There were no other arrests.

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