Troopers discovered Caryn Schonscheck slumped over in her parked car over the weekend in a parking lot off U.S. 19. The motor was still running and troopers reported that Schonscheck was lethargic and incoherent.

A trooper discovered five prescription medication bottles in Schonscheck’s purse, one of which had her husband’s name on it. She apparently had valid prescriptions for all of the drugs, except 52 tablets of hydrocodone and six Valium pills. She advised law enforcement that she had multiple back surgeries, necessitating the prescriptions.

The trooper’s report lists Schonscheck’s occupation as an investigator with the State’s Attorney’s Office. Someone in the Pasco-Pinellas judicial circuit, thought, denied that she has ever worked there.

Schonscheck was charged with driving under the influence, trafficking hydrocodone and possession of a controlled substance without prescription for Valium pills.

Under Florida law, driving under the influence can occur even if the car is parked. In general, the driver must be in actual physical control of the vehicle while intoxicated and can be charged even if the engine is turned off. The prosecutor may not even need to prove that the person behind the wheel of the car drove at all. There have been multiple cases in which someone was found “sleeping it off” with keys not in the ignition but was still charged and convicted of DUI.

As for the drug trafficking charge, it is a serious felony charge tied to the number of pills in Schonscheck’s possession. Prosecutors do not have to prove that she intended to sell them as Florida law includes mere possession of a certain amount (over 4 grams) of hydrocodone in the definition of trafficking.

Drug Charges, Felonies

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