A Florida Highway Patrol Trooper was parked on the south shoulder of Interstate 10 (State Road 8) near US Hwy 90 (State Road 10 A) and he observed a White Chrysler 300 and a Black Dodge Challenger traveling along Interstate 10 eastbound on the Interstate 10 bridge. Both vehicles had very similar matching Texas Temporary Tags that did not match the current format being used by Texas. Neither tag returned valid information for either vehicle, so the Trooper requested back up units prior to conducting a traffic stop on the two vehicles in question. Around the area of the 45-mile marker, in Okaloosa County, Florida. The initial Trooper along with the assistance of two other Troopers and one of the Criminal Interdiction Unit Trooper’s, initiated a traffic stop near the Holt exit ramp.
Contact was made with both drivers, and the Troopers were able to obtain identification of the two suspect drivers. During the onset of the investigation it was discovered both the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Challenger, had counterfeit Vehicle Identification Numbers as well as both vehicles in question were also reported stolen on April 20, 2022 from Harris County in Houston, TX. The CIU Trooper was the one who made initial contacted with driver of the Dodge Challenger and could detect a strong odor of marijuana from the vehicle. The driver admitted, prior to search, that he was in possession of marijuana and a firearm in the trunk of the vehicle. The CIU Trooper located approximately 318 grams of marijuana, along with a Springfield Hellcat 9 mm handgun.
Anthony Vital Arteaga, 24-year-old Hispanic Male and Isaac Steven Guerra, 21-year-old Hispanic male are being charged with the following:
Possession of Counterfeit License Plates
Issuance of Temporary Tag to Avoid Disclosure of True Owner Possession of Vehicle with Altered Numbers
Organized Dealing in Stolen Property
Dealing in Stolen Property
Marijuana Distribution
Larceny Over 20K
Possession of a Counterfeit Registration
Navarre Newspaper reminds our readers that Anthony Vital Arteaga and Isaac Steven Guerra are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.
