Deputies arrest 19-year-old with marijuana and ammunition, add gang-related enhancement

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jamarian Lamar Gray, 19, was arrested yesterday and charged with distribution of marijuana and possession of a bullet after a traffic stop; deputies alleged that Gray is a gang member and added a gang-related penalty enhancement to the ammunition possession charge.

At about 7:47 p.m. on April 18, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a scooter in the 6900 block of SW 6th Place for operating after dusk without lights; a deputy reported that the scooter almost hit a minivan head-on while driving into oncoming traffic.

A deputy reported that Gray, who was operating the scooter, was immediately aggressive, both verbally and physically; the deputy also noted the smell of burnt and green marijuana coming from Gray.

When Gray was told that a probable cause search would be conducted, he reportedly became even more agitated and tried to walk away before being detained in handcuffs; he allegedly tried again to walk away after he was placed in handcuffs. During the search, he allegedly continued pushing and pulling away from deputies.

Two bags of marijuana, with a total weight of 32.5 grams, were reportedly found in his shorts pockets, along with six empty “apple seed” baggies and one round of 9mm ammunition; an almost-full box of zipper bags was reportedly found in a shopping bag he was carrying.

A deputy noted that Gray is a suspect in a theft of ammunition from Bass Pro, and that investigation is ongoing.

A deputy reported that during the incident, Gray and his friends at the scene made “numerous hand gestures/signs” that included making a “W” for “westside” — a “known blood criminal street gang affiliate.” The deputy reported that Gray stated several times that he was “about that life,” and Gray and his friends were all wearing “bright red clothing mixed with black, also a known sign of ‘flagging,’ or representing gang colors.”

Post Miranda, Gray reportedly did not want to speak to the deputy, but he stated spontaneously that he knows he is an adjudicated juvenile delinquent and cannot possess guns or ammunition.

Gray has been charged with possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of ammunition by a gang-related juvenile delinquent (a sentencing enhancement), possession of drug paraphernalia in order to transport drugs, and resisting an officer without violence.

Gray has a juvenile conviction from 2022 for burglary of an unoccupied vehicle, and Judge Denise Ferrero ordered him released on his own recognizance.

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.