ORLANDO, Fla. -- He publicly criticized two of Orlando’s most powerful women, but Friday night, Orlando City Commission candidate Ezell Harris is behind bars for peddling prescription drugs.

Harris was running against Commissioner Daisy Lynum, and he talked to Eyewitness News in April about his website, heavily criticizing police Chief Val Demings.

He was arrested Thursday night at his place of business when police say he tried to sell Hydrocodone to undercover cops.

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RAW VIDEO: Ezell Harris Faces Judge
READ REPORT: Harris' Arrest Affidavit

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Ezell Harris looked somber as he stood before a judge Friday morning after he was arrested for trafficking prescription drugs. The Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation (MBI) opened an investigation four months ago after receiving tips alleging Harris was selling drugs from his home and business.

One neighbor, who did not want to be identified, said she never suspected Harris of any wrong doing and was surprised by his arrest.

“Really I don't see that much traffic I have been here for a year or so,” the neighbor said.

Harris is currently running against Orlando City Commissioner Daisy Lynum for District 5. Harris is a community activist who publicly criticized the Orlando Police Chief Val Demings on a website called valdemings.com. At one point the chief threatened to sue him for defamation. Some of his political supporters say they did not want to go on camera for fear of retribution. They claim the arrest is without merit and politically motivated. One neighbor agreed.

“He picked a fight with them so that’s what you expected,” neighbor Johnny Skinner said.

The MBI director said those allegations are without merit. The agency is confident in its case. Chief Demings said the arrest is based on his criminal activities not his political affiliations.