VERNON, Fla. (WDNews) — A traffic stop in Vernon led to the arrest of a Graceville man after deputies discovered he was driving with a suspended license and allegedly found illegal drugs inside his vehicle.
According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on June 21, 2026, after observing a vehicle commit a traffic violation. After providing the vehicle’s license plate information to dispatch, deputies learned the tag displayed on the vehicle was not assigned to it.
Deputies identified the driver as John W. Howard Sr., 58, of Graceville. During the stop, the deputy asked Howard if there was anything illegal inside the vehicle. According to the sheriff’s office, Howard told deputies there were “two open alcoholic beverages in the center console cup holders” and stated that his driver’s license was suspended.
The sheriff’s office said dispatch confirmed Howard’s license was suspended and that he had active felony warrants out of Okaloosa County.
During a probable cause search of the vehicle, deputies reportedly located methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Howard was arrested and charged with Felony Driving While License Suspended or Revoked, Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Howard was transported to the Washington County Jail.
