OKEECHOBEE — Carlos Manzano Jr. was sentenced to three years in state prison after pleading no contest to charges of trafficking in methamphetamine and tampering with evidence. Manzano was arrested on October 13, 2020 after a traffic stop. As the vehicle pulled over, a package was thrown out of the driver’s side window. The package was later found to contain methamphetamine. Inside the vehicle more methamphetamine was found along with drug paraphernalia. As he was escorted to the patrol car, Manzano said he needed to at least try to lie to get out of trouble.

Manzano was arrested on October 9, 2020 and charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia, but those charges were later dropped. In that instance, Manzano was reportedly stopped for speeding. When the officer pulled him over, Manzano reportedly said, “You are harassing me. I haven’t done anything wrong.” According to the arrest report, the deputy saw Manzano remove a small black scale from underneath his thigh and asked him to exit the vehicle. A search of the vehicle produced a syringe in the door panel, a syringe in the center console and a baggie containing methamphetamine on the driver’s side floorboard. The report notes the vehicle was a rental car.

In June of 2020, Manzano was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and possession of drug paraphernalia. Those charges were also dropped. The arrest occurred after a 911 call was made regarding a suspicious person near King’s Mobile Home Park. When Deputy Kenneth Hernandez arrived, he saw a black truck with four people surrounding it and made contact with the subjects. According to the arrest report, Manzano said he came over to a relative’s house to hang out with friends. The deputy noticed a small puncture wound with blood oozing out on Manzano’s right arm. As he walked by the truck, he noticed a syringe laying on the driver’s seat. A search of the vehicle produced drug paraphernalia, a loaded revolver, 13.6 grams of methamphetamine and 135 Alprazolam pills.

In April of 2020, Manzano was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and entered a no contest plea. He was given a $500 fine plus court costs.