POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A routine traffic stop on Friday escalated into a series of felony charges for an Auburndale man with a history of driving offenses. Esai Rafael Smith, 36, was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office after deputies discovered he was driving with a suspended license, provided a false identity, and was in possession of a handgun and cocaine.
The incident unfolded at approximately 11:34 AM on eastbound I-4, near Mile Marker 50, in the vicinity of Polk City. A PCSO deputy initiated a traffic stop on a white 2018 Dodge Durango driven by Smith.
When deputies asked for his driver’s license, Smith allegedly provided a false name. When confronted by the deputy, he admitted to the deception, stating, “I lied, ’cause I was nervous, and my license is no good.”…