Five arrested during GPD patrol of area known for drug sales

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Nicholas K’nard Certain, 30, of Archer, and Anthony Deandre Davis, 29, Jonathan Sharron Dupree, 42, Davontay Marquez Gardner, 31, and Darius Dante Gilmore, 26, all of Hawthorne, were arrested last night by officers patrolling an area known for high crime and drug sales.

Gainesville Police Department officers approached the men during a patrol of the area near the intersection of SW 16th Avenue and South Main Street, and officers reported smelling burnt marijuana coming from their direction and from a nearby car.

Nicholas Certain

An officer told Certain that he was detained and asked if he had a marijuana card; Certain said he did not. A probable cause search of Certain reportedly produced multiple baggies and a small blue pill in the jacket he was wearing; a search of the car reportedly produced a backpack, and Certain reportedly said it was his. The backpack reportedly contained a 9mm handgun, multiple pills that did not test positive for any known substance, and 3.5 grams of marijuana that was not properly packaged. Other pills were reportedly found in containers without proper labels, including seven oxycodone hydrochloride pills.

Post Miranda, Certain reportedly said the backpack was his, and he admitted to possession of all of the narcotics and the handgun. However, he said the jacket he was wearing was not his and the baggies and blue pill found in the jacket were not his.

Certain has been charged with possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, distributing dangerous drugs, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, and possession of harmful new legend drugs. He has no criminal history, and Judge Susan Miller-Jones set his bail at $172,000.

Anthony Davis

Davis reportedly had the keys to a car that had burnt marijuana “blunts” in plain view; he said it was a relative’s rental vehicle. A search of the vehicle reportedly produced a Glock 19 handgun; a baggie next to the gun reportedly contained oxycodone hydrochloride pills.

Post Miranda, Davis reportedly said the Glock was his and he occasionally smokes marijuana with Certain but outside of the vehicle; he said the pills were given to him by Certain for shoulder pain, and Certain reportedly stated, post Miranda, that he sometimes gives Davis some of his prescribed medication.

Davis has been charged with possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. He has one misdemeanor conviction, and Judge Miller-Jones set bail at $100,000.

Jonathan Dupree

Dupree reportedly walked away from the group when officers approached, and an officer reportedly saw a baggie in plain view in his front pocket; the baggie contained about 4.5 grams of marijuana. Dupree reportedly said he had a medical marijuana card, but he could not produce it.

Dupree was charged with possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana and also booked on a felony warrant out of Polk County for grand larceny. He has 16 felony convictions (non-violent) and eight misdemeanor convictions (one violent); he has served one state prison sentence and was released in 2008. Judge Miller-Jones set bail at $2,500.

Davontay Gardner

Gardner reportedly consented to a pat-down and spontaneously said he had marijuana in his pocket and that he does not have a medical marijuana card.

A probable cause search reportedly produced two baggies of marijuana, totaling about 17 grams. Gardner also reportedly had about $625 in loose bills of varying denominations.

Post Miranda, Gardner reportedly said the marijuana was for his personal use and his grandmother recently gave him the money.

Gardner has been charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell. He has five felony convictions (one violent) and eight misdemeanor convictions (one violent) and has served two state prison sentences, with his most recent release in April 2025. Judge Miller-Jones set bail at $50,000.

Darius Gilmore

Gilmore reportedly told an officer he had “weed” in his pocket, and an officer reported finding 3.9 grams of marijuana in his pocket in a baggie that was not labeled as a prescription medication. Gilmore reportedly said he had a medical marijuana card, but the officer found that his card had expired in 2022.

Gilmore has been charged with possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana. He has four felony convictions (non-violent) and three misdemeanor convictions (one violent) and has served two state prison sentences, with his most recent release in February 2025. Judge Miller-Jones set bail at $2,500.

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.