A Rhode Island visitor who celebrated outdoor dining with her family at Brownwood was arrested within hours of posting festive photos on Facebook.
Carissa Marie Fratus, 35, of Johnston, R.I., on Monday night posted photos of her and an aunt and uncle dining at a restaurant at Paddock Square. The photos elicited comments like “so jealous” and “party animals” from her friends.
However, the night took a different turn when Fratus’ black Kia was pulled over at 12:38 a.m. Tuesday at the Burnsed Recreation Center after she was caught traveling at 48 miles per hour in a 35 mph zone on Morse Boulevard, according to an arrest report from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
Fratus claimed she did not have her driver’s license with her and provided the name and Social Security number of another woman. A K-9 unit arrived on the scene and the dog alerted on the vehicle, indicating the likely presence of drugs.
A search turned up a purse which contained Fratus’ Rhode Island driver’s license. She told deputies she had not given them the license because she knew it was suspended. A check confirmed it has been suspended since 2017.
The search also turned up a vape pen that contained a dark oil that tested positive for THC.
Fratus was arrested on charges of driving while license suspended, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug equipment and providing a false name to law enforcement.
She was booked at the Sumter County Detention Center and released after posting $4,500 bond.
