2 Florida Men Charged Following Traffic Stop in Wood County

COLUMBUS – Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers filed felony drug charges against two Florida men after a traffic stop in Wood County. During the traffic stop, troopers seized more than 4 pounds of cocaine worth $84,000 and a loaded .380 handgun.

On February 5, at 3:43 p.m., troopers stopped a rented 2018 Ford F-150 with Florida registration for speed and unsafe lane change violations on the Ohio Turnpike. Criminal indicators were observed and the driver was asked to exit the vehicle. During a consensual pat-down, a loaded .380 handgun was located on the driver. A probable cause search of the vehicle revealed the contraband.

The driver, Nelson Lopez III, 21, and passenger, Nelson Lopez Jr., 41, both of Zephyrhills, Fla., were incarcerated in the Wood County Jail and charged with possession and trafficking in cocaine, both first-degree felonies.

If convicted, each could face up to 22 years in prison and up to a $40,000 fine.