News

Jun 23, 2023

Cocaine found in woman's underwear after arrest

A Leesburg woman with a half-dozen prior arrests is back in the Lake County Jail after cocaine was found in her underwear during a medical evaluation at UF Health Leesburg Hospital. Kathy Sheree

A Leesburg woman with a half-dozen prior arrests is back in the Lake County Jail after cocaine was found in her underwear during a medical evaluation at UF Health Leesburg Hospital.

Kathy Sheree Sanders, 59, was charged with possession of cocaine. She was arrested Tuesday afternoon near 12th and Magnolia streets after being pulled over for failing to stop at two separate stop signs, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department.

During the traffic stop, police were informed Sanders had an outstanding warrant out of Sumter County for possession of drug paraphernalia. She was placed under arrest, the report said.

During her arrest, Sanders claimed she was having trouble breathing and that a boil on her vagina was irritating her. Lake Emergency Medical Services responded, but Sanders did not meet their criteria to be taken to the hospital for further evaluation, according to the report.

Instead, Sanders was taken to jail, where it was determined she needed to be medically cleared before she was booked. She was then taken to UF Health Leesburg Hospital. There, Sanders’ clothing was removed to allow the nursing staff to examine her vagina. Once her clothes were off, a small rock-like substance was found in the waistline of her underwear. The substance weighed 0.5 grams and tested positive for cocaine, the report said.

Jail records show Sanders was arrested once in 2019, three times in 2020, and twice in 2022, mostly for drug-related offenses. She’s being held on $2,000 bond.