CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. A traffic stop over the Fourth of July weekend led to the arrest of two men after deputies discovered more than 38 grams of methamphetamine and other suspected drug-related items inside a pickup truck, according to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.
Members of the Sheriff’s Office Strategic Targeted Area Response (STAR) Unit and K-9 Unit stopped a pickup truck at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Friday, July 3, after the driver allegedly failed to come to a complete stop at a stop sign.
The driver, identified as 58-year-old Russel Denton, was unable to provide proof of insurance and told deputies the truck belonged to a friend.
During the stop, a Sheriff’s Office K-9 conducted a free-air sniff and alerted to the presence of narcotics, prompting deputies to search the vehicle.
Investigators said they found approximately 38.5 grams of methamphetamine inside a black bag belonging to Denton. Deputies also recovered digital scales, steroids, plastic baggies and drug paraphernalia.
Denton was arrested and charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting an officer without violence.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Denton had been arrested on April 29, 2026, for possession of methamphetamine and was out on bond at the time of his latest arrest. Authorities said the methamphetamine trafficking charge carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of seven years if he is convicted.
Deputies also arrested passenger Matthew E. Healy, 53, after allegedly finding brass knuckles in his pocket. Healy was charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
Both men were being held without bond in the Charlotte County Jail.
Sheriff Bill Prummell said major narcotics investigations often uncover broader criminal activity.
“Significant narcotics arrests, such as this one, can have a broader impact on public safety beyond removing illegal drugs from the community,” Prummell said. “Individuals involved in drug trafficking are often connected to other criminal activity, including illegal firearms possession, theft, burglary, robbery, and acts of violence. It appears that this individual did not learn his lesson the first time around, so this time he can plan on an extended stay.”