Deputies with the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man on drug trafficking charges today, just 12 days after his previous arrest on similar charges.
On September 21, a deputy with the Street Crimes Unit stopped a white Chevy Impala in the parking lot of 3280 Tamiami Trail. The driver of the vehicle, Christopher McMullen (DOB 4/23/84), was observed moving and reaching around the vehicle in an unusual manner as the deputy approached the window. During a conversation with Christopher McMullen and a passenger in the vehicle, a Canine Unit responded for a free air sniff. The drug detector canine positively alerted to the presence of illegal drugs inside the vehicle.
Deputies searched the vehicle, locating a 4mg Hydromorphone pill on the driver’s side floorboard, along with small pieces of marijuana. Christopher McMullen was arrested for possession of the Hydromorphone pill. During a search before jail transport, two Ziploc bags were located in his groin area. The bags contained approximately 100 Alprazolam, Oxymorphone and Hydromorphone pills. A third bag was located tucked further into his rear lower region during a strip search at the jail, which was ordered based on the location of the first two concealed bags. The third bag contained 66 additional Hydromorphone pills.
Christopher McMullen was charged with Trafficking in Opium or Opium Derivative, Possession of a Controlled Substance (3 Counts), Introduction of Contraband into a County Detention Facility, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Resisting an Officer without Violence. He bonded out of the jail on September 22nd.
On October 3, at approximately 9:30am, a deputy attempted to stop Christopher McMullen for not wearing his seatbelt while driving a maroon Chevy pickup. Christopher McMullen continued driving slowly after the deputy activated the overhead emergency lights on his marked patrol unit. During this time the deputy observed McMullen moving around and appearing to pass items to his female passenger (sitting in the center seat), who was standing up and down inside the cab of the truck appearing to push items into her pants. The vehicle eventually came to a stop, and when the deputy approached the driver’s side window the female passenger, identified as Alyssa Rutledge (DOB 7/18/89) was observed holding an empty Ziploc bag with visible white residue inside.
Several loose pills were visible on the driver’s side floorboard and center floorboard. The deputy requested Christopher McMullen step out of the vehicle. When he stepped out, a white pill, identified as Methadone, fell from his lap.
Christopher McMullen was arrested (possession of the methadone pill) and searched prior to jail transport. $11,685 in US Currency was located in his pants, as well as 3 bags containing Suboxone strips. Suboxone is a Schedule III substance that requires a prescription. Inside the truck, more Methadone Hydromorphone pills were located on the floorboards, seat cushions, and in Alyssa Rutledge’s pants. After an investigation, including statements from both McMullen and Rutledge, McMullen was determined to be the sole owner of the pills.
In total, drugs seized included 92 Hydromorphone pills, 29 Methadone pills, and 57 pieces of Suboxone strips.
Christopher McMullen was transported to the Charlotte County Jail. He is charged with Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (2 counts), Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.