Alachua man arrested on drug and firearm charges

Staff report

ALACHUA, Fla. – Davon Lee Curtis, 22, was arrested early this morning for allegedly manufacturing and selling crack cocaine and possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.

At about 11:53 p.m. on April 17, an Alachua Police Department officer was patrolling in the area of NW 133rd Terrace and NW 151st Lane, which he reported “has seen a notable rise in criminal activity over the past month.”

The officer saw an SUV traveling north on NW 133rd Terrace and found that there was a seize tag order for the vehicle and a record of the registered owner having a suspended driver’s license.

The officer conducted a traffic stop, and Curtis reportedly said he was aware that his license was suspended, and he was trying to get that corrected. The officer reported seeing a bag of marijuana in plain view and noted that he could smell burnt marijuana coming from within the vehicle; he also reported seeing the outline of a firearm in Curtis’s waistband, and Curtis reportedly confirmed that he had a gun in his waistband.

The officer removed the gun after Curtis got out of the vehicle, and a probable cause search of the vehicle reportedly produced about 13 grams of marijuana, about a gram of crack cocaine, and three small baggies of cocaine, along with empty baggies, a scale, baking powder, metal cups wrapped in tin foil, and a metal fork wrapped in tin foil.

The officer noted that the baking powder, metal cups, and metal fork can be used to manufacture crack cocaine by heating cocaine and adding a cutting agent, such as baking powder.

Post Miranda, Curtis reportedly admitted to selling crack cocaine because he was being sued and his wages were being garnished.

Curtis has been charged with possession of cocaine with intent to manufacture and/or sell, maintaining a vehicle for the purpose of selling drugs, possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony, driving with a suspended license, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Curtis has no local adult criminal history, and Judge Denise Ferrero set bail at $31,000.

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.