Rouser v. State

Appellant challenges his convictions for trafficking in cocaine over 400 grams and for possession of marijuana under 20 grams. We affirm appellant’s conviction and sentence for trafficking, but vacate the conviction for possession.

Florida State Trooper Phillip Shank (Trooper Shank) stopped appellant on Florida’s Turnpike for following too closely. The vehicle had Georgia license plates and appellant presented a valid Georgia driver’s license. Appellant disclaimed ownership of the vehicle, did not know the name of its owner and could not produce a registration.1 Trooper Shank ran a computer…