Gainesville man arrested after complaint about dogs without food or water led to discovery of drugs and firearms

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Christopher Eugene Thompson, 54, was arrested yesterday and charged with 11 felonies, including charges of animal cruelty, drug distribution, and illegal possession of multiple firearms, after officers responding to a complaint about the treatment of dogs reportedly found firearms and large quantities of drugs.

The case began with a complaint received on January 11 about a dog on a tether and other dogs in kennels at 516 SW 1st Street; the complainant said that the dogs did not have any food or water. Investigators from Alachua County Animal Resources reportedly spoke to Thompson, who said he owned all the dogs on the property, but he reportedly would not allow them onto his property to do a welfare check on the dogs.

On February 4, another complaint was received with a picture of an emaciated dog in a kennel with feces scattered around it and an overturned water bucket.

Animal Resources reported that a previous case had been opened against Thompson in 2018 regarding a young puppy with head trauma and an untreated laceration. Thompson was issued a citation for $221 in that case, and it remains unpaid.

Yesterday, Gainesville Police Department (GPD) officers assisted Animal Resources officers in serving a search warrant at Thompson’s property, based on the complaints that animals were in distress and confined without sufficient food, water, or exercise. The search reportedly produced information on Thompson’s phone regarding the pedigrees of the dogs and advertisements placed online by Thompson that described the pedigrees for purposes of dogfighting; training implements such as a “rape stand,” spring poles, and bite sticks (the report notes that blood found on some of these implements will be tested for canine DNA); and documents and literature relating to bloodlines.

Investigators reportedly found that 14 dogs had been deprived of proper exercise, food, and clean water, and cursory exams showed some to be in an unhealthy body condition and weight range. All of the dogs were seized.

The search for evidence related to animal cruelty charges also produced evidence of other felonies, and a second search warrant was obtained.

The arrest report states that when Thompson saw a marked SWAT vehicle, he fled to a building on the property that had previously been used as a boutique clothing store, ignoring commands to get on the ground. Officers reportedly found him in a bedroom attached to the store after breaching the door because Thompson did not respond to commands to open the door. The bedroom reportedly had a door that connected it to the store, giving Thompson access to the store area.

The search reportedly produced gallon-sized vacuum-sealed baggies containing over 7 grams of a synthetic cannabinoid, smaller baggies containing a white powdery substance, two digital scales, measuring cups, a box of baking powder, and a box of small baggies. Multiple rounds of .223 ammunition were also reportedly found in the bedroom.

Officers also reportedly found drugs and a firearm on top of the drop ceiling inside the clothing store, including 59 grams of cocaine and a Glock handgun. The report notes that these items were not dusty, and the area appeared to be disturbed as if they had just been placed there. The handgun was reported stolen in Alachua County in 2018.

A Smith & Wesson MP-15 rifle was reportedly found inside a closet in the clothing store area, and a Savage Arms .410 shotgun with a sawed-off barrel was reportedly found in a storage room in the warehouse area. Nine rounds of .410 ammunition were found next to the shotgun.

Both the handgun and the rifle were readily accessible to Thompson in the building he fled to when he saw the SWAT vehicle.

Post Miranda, Thompson reportedly said he was the sole occupant of the property and admitted ownership of the small baggies of a white powdery substance, which he said was cocaine. He denied ownership of any of the firearms or the 59 grams of cocaine found in the ceiling. He reportedly said nobody had been in the clothing store area for over six months.

The report concludes that the amounts of narcotics, along with the scales and plastic bags, indicate that Thompson was selling narcotics, and the property is about 73 feet from Lynch Park.

Thompson has been charged with possession of trafficking quantities of cocaine, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, selling a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a park, possession of a short-barreled shotgun, three counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of a controlled substance by a convicted felon, aggravated animal cruelty, maintaining a drug dwelling, possession of drug paraphernalia, and confinement of an animal without food or water.

Thompson has 10 felony convictions (one violent) and 18 misdemeanor convictions (four violent); he has served two prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2013. Judge Kristine Van Vorst set bail at $1,080,000 with the condition that he possess no animals.

More information about this story, including photos, can be found here.

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.