Palatka man on probation arrested for allegedly fleeing from FHP through downtown High Springs

Staff report

HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. – Maurice Ronell Dumas, 37, was arrested yesterday after allegedly fleeing from a traffic stop on I-75 and driving at high speeds through downtown High Springs.

At about 2:33 p.m. on June 16, a Florida Highway Patrol Trooper saw a silver car traveling at 88 mph northbound on I-75 near mile marker 403. The trooper conducted a traffic stop, spoke with Dumas, and noted “an extremely strong smell of burnt marijuana” coming from his vehicle.

The trooper requested backup, and when the second trooper arrived, he also spoke to Dumas, but as he walked away, the vehicle suddenly accelerated northbound on the interstate. The troopers pursued the vehicle.

The vehicle left I-75 at Exit 404 (CR 236) and turned toward downtown High Springs, reportedly traveling at 137 mph on the wrong side of the road and passing multiple vehicles across double yellow lines.

The vehicle turned onto U.S. Hwy 441 and then took NW 244th Street southbound to U.S. Hwy 27; after a few more turns through side roads, it drove through the High Springs Main Street intersection on U.S. 27. As the vehicle started to turn onto NW 234th Street, a trooper blocked it, drew his handgun, and ordered Dumas out of his vehicle. Dumas allegedly refused to get out and was eventually pulled out of the front passenger door, where he allegedly continued to resist and tried to get up and run.

After Dumas was placed in handcuffs, he reportedly said he had marijuana in his pocket; two bags were reportedly found, with one containing about 3 grams of marijuana and the other containing one Oxycodone Hydrochloride pill.

Dumas has been charged with fleeing at high speed, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, resisting an officer without violence, and reckless driving. He has five state felony convictions (non-violent) and 10 state misdemeanor convictions (one violent); he served one state prison sentence and was released in 2013. He is on federal probation for conspiracy to distribute narcotics. Senior Judge Aymer Curtin set bail at $27,000.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.