TAMPA, Fla. – A routine traffic stop for a sleeping driver escalated into a bomb threat and a temporary road closure Thursday evening, ultimately leading to multiple felony and misdemeanor charges for a Tampa man.
Just after 6:30 p.m. on June 5, 2025, Tampa Police officers responded to the intersection of N Dale Mabry Highway and Columbus Drive after receiving reports of a stationary vehicle impeding traffic flow, with the driver appearing to be asleep at the wheel.
Upon arrival, officers discovered the engine of the vehicle was still running and the gear was in reverse. The driver, identified as 30-year-old Jeremy Johnson, born August 19, 1994, was found asleep in the driver’s seat.
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After officers woke Johnson, he reportedly refused to identify himself or exit the vehicle. Officers observed drug paraphernalia in plain view, which Johnson then picked up and began to smoke while still inside the car.
As officers continued their attempts to take Johnson into custody, he allegedly stated he had a bomb inside the vehicle. This prompted a swift and cautious response from law enforcement. Southbound traffic on N Dale Mabry Highway between Tampa Bay Boulevard and Columbus Drive was immediately shut down as a precaution.
A thorough search of Johnson’s vehicle and belongings was conducted, and authorities confirmed that the bomb threat was unfounded.
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Approximately 25 minutes after the initial contact, Johnson complied with officers’ commands and exited his vehicle, where he was taken into custody without further incident.
Jeremy Johnson faces a litany of charges, including:
- One Felony Count of Possession of Cocaine
- One Felony Count of Driving While License Revoked (Habitual Offender)
- One Misdemeanor Count of Resisting an Officer without Violence
- One Misdemeanor Count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- One Misdemeanor Count of Possession of Drug without Prescription
- One Misdemeanor Count of Driving Under the Influence
Johnson was booked into a Hillsborough County detention facility following the incident. The roadways were reopened to normal traffic flow shortly after the scene was cleared.
ORIGINAL REPORT: Southbound lanes of Dale Mabry Highway were shut down for an extended period Thursday evening after officers responded to reports of an unconscious driver blocking traffic, who later claimed to have an explosive device in their vehicle.
The incident began just after 6:30 PM when authorities received calls about a driver unresponsive behind the wheel in the southbound travel lanes of Dale Mabry Highway and Columbus Drive.
Upon arrival, officers attempted to make contact with the driver, who reportedly did not comply with initial commands. As officers continued their efforts to assess the situation, the driver suddenly stated there was an explosive device inside the vehicle.
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In response to the potential threat, and out of an abundance of caution, law enforcement officials immediately shut down southbound traffic on Dale Mabry Highway between Columbus Drive and Tampa Bay Boulevard. The closure caused significant traffic delays in the area.
Fortunately, no officers were injured during the incident, and the suspect was successfully taken into custody without further incident.
As of late Thursday evening, traffic remained shut down but was expected to reopen soon.
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