Osceola County Sheriff's Office deputies Sunday, April 25, arrested Terrel Antonio McGowan, 30, an Osceola County Corrections Department officer, and charged him with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of cannabis under 20 grams. Both charges are misdemeanors.

At approximately 8:45 p.m., deputies conducted a traffic stop on the Florida’s Turnpike near mile-marker 213 on a northbound vehicle that was speeding. When deputies spoke with McGowan, he told them he was an Osceola County Corrections Department officer. He cooperated with deputies and a search of the vehicle revealed a marijuana grinder with marijuana residue. McGowan was arrested and booked into the Osceola County Jail. He bonded out Monday morning; his bond was set at $250 for possession of marijuana under 20 grams and $500 for possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to Osceola County spokesman Larry Krause, McGowan was fired from his job following his arrest.

Krause also stated in a press release that McGowan was hired by the Corrections Department two weeks earlier as part of the second of three phases to increase staffing at the facility. Jail officials placed a halt on the Corrections Department hiring process on April 6 in order to review the screening process used to hire officers. Several officers, including McGowan, had been offered positions prior to this action, Krause stated.