LAKELAND, Fla. – A 37-year-old Lakeland man, James Perry May, found himself in handcuffs early Monday morning after a suspicious encounter with a Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) deputy. The incident occurred just before 2:00 a.m. on February 3rd in the Dundee Ridge Plaza, located at 28199 US 27 in Dundee.
According to the PCSO, a deputy was conducting routine checks of businesses in the area when he noticed James standing near a closed business with his hoodie pulled over his head.
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The deputy attempted to make contact, but James initially ignored him. When the deputy approached and grabbed him, James reportedly yelled, “I wasn’t doing anything wrong!”
James claimed he was doing his laundry, but the deputy quickly noted that the laundromat had closed two hours prior—and James wasn’t carrying any laundry. When James refused to identify himself, the deputy used a fingerprint scanner to determine his identity. The scan revealed that James was on felony probation for possession of a concealed weapon by a convicted felon.
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Further investigation led to James’ arrest. He was charged with violation of felony probation, loitering and prowling, resisting an officer, and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
He was transported to the Polk County Jail.
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