Booty Call Lands Fall River Man in Police Custody

MIDDLETOWN, RI—Tedeau Semedo, 23, of Fall River, Mass., was taken into custody after a traffic stop on West Main Road and Maplewood on Jan. 25 at 3:15 a.m. According to the police report, he was a passenger in a 2015 white Elantra. It was stopped because the driver was allegedly clocked traveling 45 mph in a 30 mph zone.

But when police approached the car and asked for identification, which neither the driver nor the passenger could provide, the officer smelled marijuana, police allege. Ofc. Adam Iskra also saw a plastic bag with a small amount of marijuana. He requested backup and conducted a search.

He found a large amount of cash in Semedo's front right pocket. The money was in various denominations. Semedo told police it was about $800 to $900, and he was carrying it because he is a landscaper.

Police later said they held $1,702 in cash for safe keeping but did not specify how much belonged to Semedo and how much belonged to the driver. They also redacted information about another item, which was found when they searched the vehicle. But apart from the 2.9 grams of marijuana, worth about $25, they did not find other narcotics in the car, they said.

Initially, Semedo said he was in Middletown to visit his cousin and buy Jordan sneakers. Later, he said he was on his way to Motel 6 to meet his cousin and a female who takes money for sex.

Police released the driver with a warning for speeding.

Ultimately, police found an active bench warrant for Semedo and took him into custody.

Semedo was also cited for the marijuana possession, which is a civil violation, since it was less than 1 oz., and he is over 18.