A 36-year-old Longwood man was arrested after he used children to help collect money for a nonprofit that doesn’t exist, according to an arrest report.
On Sunday, a trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol said they conducted a traffic stop on a Chevrolet van in Gainesville in the area of Highway 441 and NW 89th Street.
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Troopers said a license plate reader showed the van’s owner – identified as 36-year-old Gilbert Jean – had a suspended license.
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According to the report, Jean was unable to provide a driver’s license when asked for one.
Troopers also noted a “young child” in the back of Jean’s van. When he was asked about the child, Jean said the juvenile’s name was “Justin.”
The trooper also noted a very strong marijuana smell and asked if Jean had a medical marijuana card. Jean said he did not and was brought to the front of the trooper’s car prior to a probable cause search, according to the report.
Jean told troopers that nothing illegal was in the car, but later said there was some marijuana in the van.
Troopers said they then asked the child to exit the vehicle by using the name Justin, but the juvenile told the trooper his name was actually Brian.
According to the report, 18 grams of marijuana in a bag behind the front seat and a scale inside of another bag next to the driver’s seat were found during the search. A THC pen was also found in the center of the vehicle, next to Jean’s suspended license.
“It should be noted that from my training and experience, the THC, marijuana packaging for individual sale and scaled are consistent with the possession and sale of narcotics,” the report read in part.
The child told troopers that he was aware the drugs were inside of the vehicle.
Troopers also said it was discovered during the investigation that Jean was transporting 4 juveniles from the Orlando area into Alachua County to use them to ask for money from citizens under a fake nonprofit called “Awareness Youth.”
According to the report, the other children were found in separate locations by other troopers.
“It should be noted that the children were left unattended to roam the streets asking for money under Jean’s instruction,” the report reads.
Troopers said the children kept $4 for every $10 they collected.
Jean was arrested and faces charges of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of marijuana under 20 grams, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of THC and contributing to the delinquency of a child.
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