Pasco Man Faces Drug, Weapon, Strangulation, Imprisonment Charges

LAND O’ LAKES, FL – The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office arrested a New Port Richey man on a fugitive warrant for falsely imprisoning and strangling a woman. But, during the arrest, deputies discovered a gun, ammunition and a backpack full of drugs in his car.

Jason Alan Harp, 40, of 2533 Ranchside Terrace, New Port Richey, was pulled over Thursday, June 28, at Causeway Boulevard and Tom Drive in Land O’ Lakes on a warrant for false imprisonment, domestic battery by strangulation, domestic aggravated assault and felony battery.

According to sheriff’s reports, Harp reportedly assaulted his 29-year-old former girlfriend twice in front of her young son.

Sheriff’s deputies had information that Harp was armed with two handguns so the sheriff’s office conducted a felony stop while Harp was in his car and had the aviation unit standing by.

Upon arrest, Harp complained of chest pain and difficulty breathing. He said he swallowed approximately one ounce of methamphetamine and four percocet tablets when he saw law enforcement.

Deputies found a loaded Cobra .380-caliber semi-automatic handgun and more than 60 rounds of ammunition in his car.

Additional narcotics were located in a pill holder around Harp’s neck and in a backpack that he was carrying in his car. The backpack also contained a scale, baggies and other items used in the sale of drugs.

He was additionally charged with armed trafficking of methamphetamine (38 grams), felony possession of a firearm, felony possession of ammunition (42 rounds), possession of a controlled substance (Tramadol) and possession of paraphernalia.

Image via Pasco sheriff