Chiefland man arrested for removing the serial number on a gun, possessing trafficking amounts of drugs

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Steven James Anderson, 28, was arrested on August 7 and charged with removing the serial number on a firearm, carrying a concealed firearm without a permit, displaying a weapon during a felony, and possession of trafficking amounts of methamphetamine.

Anderson was originally arrested on November 7, 2021, after an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy found him asleep behind the wheel of a car at a red light at SW 41st Blvd and SW Archer Road. The deputy tried unsuccessfully to wake him up, but he only awakened after more deputies arrived to open the passenger side door and turn the vehicle off.

Steven reportedly denied consent of a search of his person, but a pat-down was conducted for officer safety, and a firearm was reportedly found in his waistband. Deputies reported that all the serial numbers on the Glock 17 were completely scratched off.

Anderson was then arrested for carrying a concealed firearm without a permit and altering the serial number on a firearm. His car was towed, and an inventory was taken of the contents of the car, reportedly finding a range bag with ammunition, multiple magazines, a black Kevlar face mask, and a crystal-like substance that field-tested positive for both methamphetamine and fentanyl. The amount, a half pound, was reportedly large enough for over 1,000 doses.

Anderson promised to provide more information about the drugs at a later date and was only booked on the gun charges, pending that interview. After reaching a deferred prosecution agreement in which prosecutors agreed to drop the charges if he refrained from violating the law for six months and complied with a few other conditions, Anderson was released and, according to the deputy, did not contact the deputy to provide the information.

On January 4, 2022, the deputy was reportedly contacted by a Virginia State Trooper who said Anderson had been in a vehicle crash after falling asleep behind the wheel and was found to be in possession of a controlled substance and firearm. He was arrested and charged by Virginia State Police.

On May 9, the deferred prosecution case was closed and a new case was opened with the gun charges plus the trafficking charge; he was arrested on August 7 and is being held on $125,000 bail.

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.