Published: Friday, February 11, 2011 at 11:38 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, February 11, 2011 at 11:41 p.m.

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20110211/ARTICLES/110219854/1109/sports?Title=Man-charged-with-money-laundering

A man pulled over for speeding went to jail on charges of money laundering after a state trooper found $16,000 in the crotch of the man's pants.

Florida Highway Patrol Trooper H.E. Ogden said he pulled over Maurice Mickler, 27, of Lake City, on Tuesday afternoon after spotting him speeding in a white Dodge Charger as well as following other drivers too closely, and possibly having a window tint that was too dark. The traffic stop was made on Interstate 75 south of the Micanopy exit.

Ogden said he spotted what appeared to be a bag of marijuana on the front seat of the car. A K-9 team was called in, and the dog alerted on the car to indicate the likely presence of drugs.

Both the car and Mickler were searched, troopers said. The money was found when Mickler was being patted down before being put into a patrol car to be taken to jail.

Mickler, who is unemployed, told Ogden he had saved up the money and was heading to Orlando to do some shopping with it. He also said the marijuana was for his personal use.

Mickler was given a notice to appear in court for possession of marijuana, arrested on a charge of money laundering over $10,000, and booked into the Alachua County jail.

Florida Department of Corrections records show Mickler's criminal record includes convictions for drug sales, aggravated battery and fleeing and eluding law enforcement.