Two charged with fentanyl trafficking after deputy notices expired tag

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – William Richard Bushey, 44, of Starke, and Sierra Dawn Santa Maria, 35, of Miramar, were arrested yesterday afternoon after trafficking amounts of fentanyl and other drugs were reportedly found in their car after a deputy noticed the tag on the car was expired.

An Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy reported that he saw a car with a tag that had expired in 2015 driving south on SE 43rd Street and saw Bushey driving and Santa Maria in the passenger seat. By the time he caught up with the car, it had pulled into a gas station on SE Hawthorne Road.

The deputy made contact with Bushey and Santa Maria at the gas station, and Bushey reportedly admitted to driving the car but said it wasn’t his car and he was unaware that the tag was expired. The deputy wrote that Bushey would not tell him his name or who owned the car, and Bushey also turned sideways with the right side of his body and his right hand out of the deputy’s sight. The deputy also reportedly saw a crack pipe in plain view in the car.

The deputy conducted a probable cause search of the car and reportedly found 7.1 grams of white powder that tested positive for fentanyl. He also reportedly found 3 grams of methamphetamine and one Suboxone pill. He also reportedly found metallic knuckles in Bushey’s pocket.

Bushey has been charged with possession of trafficking quantities of fentanyl, two counts of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of drug equipment, and carrying a concealed weapon without a permit. Bushey has a previous Alachua County conviction for property damage. He has Bradford County convictions for disorderly intoxication, felony battery (repeat offender), disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest without violence. He is being held on $110,000 bail.

Santa Maria has been charged with possession of trafficking quantities of fentanyl, two counts of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, and possession of drug equipment. She is being held on $90,000 bail.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.