SUWANNEE COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - A convicted felon from McAlpin was arrested on drug charges and one for harassing a K9 after a deputy saw him driving recklessly.
Corey Daniel Rethman, 25, from McAlpin, Florida, was arrested Friday after a Suwannee County deputy saw his vehicle driving recklessly on SR 51, south from CR 250.
The deputy observed the vehicle swerving back and forth in the lane of travel, straddle the center line, and then drive in the shoulder, according to a sheriff's office Facebook post.
When the deputy activated his lights and sirens to conduct a traffic stop, Rethman refused to pull over for several miles.
After Rethman pulled over and left his vehicle, he lost his balance and stumbled several times.
Rethman also had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath.
A search of Rethman’s vehicle revealed that he had 20 grams of cannabis inside, along with a glass smoking pipe on the center console.
Several rounds of ammunition were also located, which Rethman is prohibited from possessing due to being a convicted felon.
Once Rethman was placed in a deputy’s patrol vehicle, Rethman began barking at a K9 and hitting the K9’s cage enclosure, refusing to stop when despite the deputy's orders.
At the Suwannee County Jail, Rethman submitted to a breathalyzer test, which determined he was over the legal limit.
Rethman has been charged with fleeing and eluding, driving under the influence, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, harassing a police animal, possession of fewer than 20 grams of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia.
