OKEECHOBEE — After the car he was riding in was pulled over for speeding, a local man was arrested and charged with trafficking in methamphetamine. On Friday, Jan. 15 at approximately 10:15 p.m., Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Deputy Ashley Waskiewicz was on patrol near the 1800 block of U.S. 441 Southeast when she noticed a silver Mitsubishi traveling 35 mph in a 25mph zone. She conducted a traffic stop, and noted the driver’s hands were shaking.

Donald Abbitt, 40, was sitting in the front passenger seat and reportedly appeared extremely nervous and would not make eye contact. He would only roll his window down a couple inches. Also in the vehicle were Abbitt’s wife and children.

Waskiewicz asked everyone if there was anything illegal in the vehicle, and the driver and Abbitt reportedly said, “No.” When Waskiewicz asked for permission to search the vehicle however, Abbitt refused. He claimed he did so because his children were in the vehicle.

All occupants were asked to exit the vehicle so K-9 Storm could conduct a free air sniff for the odor of narcotics, and he alerted to the rear, driver’s side floorboard. After a search of the vehicle, a total of 16 grams of methamphetamine was discovered. Abbitt reportedly said, “Ma’am, that shit is all mine. I dropped it in the bag.” He reportedly told deputies the driver had no idea what was in any of the bags and all the contents belonged to him.

The driver reportedly apologized to Abbitt for speeding and getting pulled over.

The driver was given a warning for her traffic offense. Abbitt was charged with trafficking in methamphetamine and his bond was set at $250,000. The report notes Abbitt is out on bond for similar charges at this time.