Jermaine Lewis charged in traffic stop

UPPERCO, Md. (WMAR) - Jermaine Lewis was arrested and charged by Baltimore County Police today following a traffic stop.

An Officer on routine patrol in the area of Hanover Pike and Mt. Gilead Road say a white Dodge Charger with an unrestrained child in the front seat. The driver of the car abruptly pulled into a driveway in the 14000 block of Hanover Pike.

The vehicle was registered to Jermaine Edward Lewis.

The officer saw the vehicle again on Hanover Pike where they conducted a traffic stop.

Lewis was found to be driving on a suspended and revoked license. The officer also observed Lewis' 4-year-old son in the front seat with no seatbelt on, and no child safety seat in the vehicle.

According to charging documents, Lewis told police that he was driving because "his wife was in jail and that he needed to get food for his son and something to heat his home." At this time, Lewis pointed to a fire starter log in the front passenger seat next to his son.

Lewis was placed under arrest and issued citations for driving while suspended, driving while revoked and failure to secure a child under the age of 8 in a child safety seat, his son was released to the custody of his grandfather.

Lewis is currently being held on a $50,000 bail.

In the state of Maryland, a child under the age of 8 must be restrained in a child safety seat in a motor vehicle.