CLEARWATER, Fla. — A routine traffic stop for ignoring a stop sign in Clearwater led to a serious arrest involving drugs, firearms, and a fake license plate.
According to Clearwater police, Officer Christian Rodriguez pulled over a Lexus after it rolled through a stop sign on Gulf Boulevard. While checking the car, the officer noticed an unusual vehicle tag that appeared to be from the “Kingdom of Morocco.”
The driver, later identified as 30-year-old Hasan Ali Goodbee, was unable to provide valid registration and presented only a Georgia ID. He allegedly joked that he bought the license plate and title on Amazon, but later claimed to be a “sovereign citizen” and a traveler, not a driver.
A VIN check yielded no registration information. Based on probable cause, officers searched the vehicle and discovered approximately 1.5 grams of methamphetamine, three firearms, and ammunition.
Goodbee was arrested and charged with:
Possession of methamphetamine
Possession of a firearm during commission of a felony
Operating an unregistered vehicle
Auto title fraud
He appeared in court on Sunday, and his bond was set at $17,150. Records show Goodbee also has a prior case in Pinellas County for driving with an invalid license.
