Methamphetamine Located in Hidden Container During a Traffic Stop After K9 Alert

Two suspects are in jail today, held on drug charges stemming from a traffic stop in South Punta Gorda on their vehicle Tuesday afternoon. James Maroney (9/27/68) and his driver, Alexandra Mousseau (12/10/83), both from Fort Myers, were stopped on June 26th and arrested after methamphetamine was found inside the vehicle.

Deputy Nelson stopped the Ford Mustang, driven by Mousseau, at approximately 1:30pm on Tuesday, after he observed the vehicle drifting between lanes on SB Tamiami Trail near Zemel Road in Punta Gorda. While speaking to Mousseau about her driving behavior and an additionally observed tint violation, Deputy Nelson noted she was unusually nervous, shaking uncontrollably,  and had multiple visible needle marks on her arm. Both Mousseau and Maroney (the owner of the vehicle) refused consent to search the vehicle during the traffic stop.

K9 Ladybird, a USPCA certified drug-detector canine, responded to the scene for a free-air sniff around the vehicle. She positively alerted her handler to the presence of a drug odor coming from the vehicle.

During a search of the vehicle, the boot around the center console shift knob was observed to be loose. A syringe and a ceramic spoon with white crystallized residue were located underneath the boot.  The residue tested positive for methamphetamine. A safe was located in the trunk, containing $3,220 in US Currency. Upon opening the hood of the vehicle, a plastic container was observed stuck near the firewall of the vehicle with a magnet. Inside the plastic container was a plastic bag containing 9.3 grams of crystal methamphetamine. An additional bag of unidentified white powder was also in the container, and will be sent to FDLE for testing. The plastic case also contained four syringes and a silver spoon.

Located on the floorboard of the vehicle was a notebook with various names and amounts next to the names (i.e Jes – 250; Bob 450; Ben 160; Rob; 150; Lu 475 Br Rob 50). There was also a website line for how to extract ephedrine from a medicated salt block. This style of writing was recognized by deputies to be similar to a ledger used to track narcotic sales.

Mousseau and Maroney each provided statements to deputies during the investigation. Alexandra Mousseau was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. James Maroney was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The currency was seized for forfeiture.

 

 

 

Katie Heck
Public Information Officer
Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office
kheck@ccso.org