Man Arrested 3 Months After Prison Release For Drugs: Police

LAKELAND, FL — A 23-year-old man who had been out of state prison for three months was arrested at a hotel in Lakeland by the Polk County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday for drug trafficking and other charges, a police news release said.

After undercover narcotics detectives received a tip about drug activity happening at a Lakeland area hotel, officers said it led them to Jeremie Cunningham.

Investigators arranged for the purchase of $1,000 worth of methamphetamine between an undercover officer and Cunningham, said police.

When Cunningham arrived to conduct the drug transaction, detectives attempted to arrest him, but Cunningham resisted and hit one of the detectives several times before officers were able to arrest him, police said.

The detective did not require medical attention.

Detectives discovered a plastic bag containing a substance they said tested positive for methamphetamine.

“With only three months out of state prison and arrested again, you would think Cunningham would do everything possible to stay free," Sheriff Grady Judd said in a news release. "Instead, he chose to immediately return to his criminal enterprise, and that’s just not acceptable in Polk County.”

The Polk County Sheriff's Office said Cunningham is charged with:

• Trafficking methamphetamine over 14 grams
• Possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell
• Maintain vehicle for trafficking narcotics
• Knowingly driving with a suspended license
• Unlawful use of two-way communication device
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• No motorcycle endorsement
• Resisting officer with violence
• Battery on a law enforcement officer