Carlton Jawaune Benjamin, 49, of Belle Glade, was found guilty of multiple drug charges following a one-day trial in Charlotte County. He was found guilty of Trafficking in
Cocaine – (28 Grams or More) and Possession of Paraphernalia. The jury returned the guilty verdict in less than 30 minutes.
On June 18, 2020, a Deputy, with the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, pulled over a vehicle when he saw the front seat passenger, later identified as the defendant, was not wearing a seat belt. The deputy smelled marijuana when he approached the vehicle. The deputy asked the occupants to exit the vehicle. While searching the defendant, a razor blade was found in his pocket with a white residue that tested positive for cocaine.
There was a brown bag on the floor in front of the defendant. Inside were 8 small plastic bags containing cocaine and a black beanie. Inside the beanie, were 4 more small plastic bags of cocaine.
The defendant had a bag in the trunk which contained $3,000 in cash and a digital scale with cocaine residue. Benjamin admitted that bag belonged to him, so he was arrested.
Assistant State Attorney Caitlin Sorenson prosecuted the case. Sentencing is scheduled for February 3, 2022.
Samantha Syoen – Communications Director, State Attorney’s Office