Crime & Safety

Cyclist Arrested For Cocaine Possession

Makes bargain with prosecutors.

A man pulled over for not properly illuminating his bike in Menlo Park is facing 32 months in prison, after bargaining with prosecutors in court Tuesday.

Menlo Park Police Officer Neumann pulled over Lee James Daniels, 52, at about 8 p.m. on January 21, 2012 and asked him if anything illegal was in his backpack, according to public records. Daniels was on parole.

Prosecutors say Daniels told police he had a “large amount of marijuana” in the bag, a fact that turned out to be false when police searched his backpack. Instead, police found a “brown paper twist with rocks of cocaine base in the middle pocket,” according to Deputy District Attorney Holly. M. Davidson’s report.

San Mateo District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe told Patch that Daniels was convicted of a residential burglary in 2004, which makes him a “second striker.”

“Not a three striker, facing 25 to life,” Wagstaffe said. “He only had one prior serious offence. That doubles the potential sentence,” Wagstaffe explained.

Acting Criminal Presiding Judge Lisa Novak was scheduled to review the case on Monday. However, a lack of courtrooms prevented the case from being heard. This may have contributed to his willingness to bargain with prosecutors.

“He changed his mind and pled guilty to possession of cocaine,” Wagstaffe said Tuesday afternoon. “The case is now going over for sentencing,” he added.

Daniels is scheduled to go to court again in June. His defense attorney, Frank Bell, could not be reached for comment.

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