Cops: Drug charges for driver without seat belt on Meadowbrook

An Elmont man pulled over Tuesday for not wearing a seat belt while driving on the Meadowbrook State Parkway in Hempstead faces misdemeanor drug charges, State Police said.

Kenneth Schmidt, 20, of 573 Cameron St., was seen not wearing a seat belt as he drove a red Ford Explorer north on the Meadowbrook near Exit M5, Hempstead Turnpike, at about 6 p.m., police said.

While interviewing Schmidt, troopers noticed the smell of marijuana coming from the Explorer, police said.

Troopers found a clear plastic bag on the rear floor, behind the front passenger seat, according to a report. Schmidt also told police there was another plastic bag of marijuana in the front console, police said.

Schmidt is charged with criminal possession of marijuana and several traffic violations, including driving without a license and no insurance, police said. Arraignment information was not immediately available.