WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — A 34-year-old high school coach was arrested Monday after deputies discovered marijuana inside his vehicle during a patrol at a public park, authorities said.
Deputies with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office spotted a white Lincoln sedan parked with its windows down at Westwood Park around midday. Inside, they found Matthew Wells of Auburndale sitting alone in the driver’s seat.
According to deputies, a strong odor of marijuana was immediately noticeable. When asked for identification, Wells presented only a Florida ID card and denied driving the vehicle, despite being the sole occupant behind the wheel. He told deputies he worked as a coach at Advance Prep Academy in Auburndale and acknowledged having a prior marijuana arrest.
Wells admitted there was marijuana in the car and handed over a small bag containing the drug. Deputies said he later produced a larger bag hidden in a trash bag on the passenger seat. Wells, who did not have a medical marijuana card, told deputies the marijuana belonged to him and his wife, adding that he had recently served a five-month jail sentence and “just wanted to smoke.”
Wells was arrested and booked into the Polk County Jail on charges of possession of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia, both misdemeanors.
Sheriff Grady Judd said the case reflected a repeated pattern of disregard for the law. “This is a perfect example of someone who clearly hasn’t learned from past mistakes,” Judd said. “If you’re going to break the law in Polk County, expect to be held accountable—again and again if necessary.”
Key Points
- Deputies arrested coach Matthew Wells, 34, after finding marijuana in his car at Westwood Park.
- Wells admitted ownership of two bags of marijuana and lacked a medical marijuana card.
- He was charged with misdemeanor possession of cannabis and drug paraphernalia.