Gainesville man charged with drug distribution in Bradenton after girlfriend overdoses

MANATEE -- A man was charged with distribution Sunday morning after deputies found a pound and a half of marijuana in his car, just after his girlfriend suffered an overdose, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Cody Voitle, 19, of Gainesville, was in a car that struck a pole protecting a gas pump at the 7-Eleven at 5640 14th Street West at 11:21 a.m., according to an arrest report. Deputies said they learned from people on scene that his girlfriend in the backseat had overdosed on heroin, and Voitle was "extremely upset."

Deputies said Voitle's car smelled strongly of marijuana and they had reason to believe more heroin was in the vehicle. They told Voitle his car would be searched and he told them he had marijuana in his pocket and handed it over. The marijuana weighed 16.1 grams.

Voitle was arrested and deputies also found five xanax pills on his person, according to the report. Voitle said he had a prescription but he didn't have the bottle with him.

Deputies also found an airtight ziploc bag in the back of the vehicle that had 479.5 grams, or 1.5 pounds, of marijuana in it. Voitle said he knew about the bag but it didn't belong to him.

Voitle was charged with distribution of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and possession of marijuana. He was released from the Manatee County jail Monday on bonds totaling $3,500.

This story was originally published December 22, 2015 at 7:42 AM with the headline "Gainesville man charged with drug distribution in Bradenton after girlfriend overdoses ."