Gainesville man arrested for aggravated assault and false imprisonment

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Antonio Miguel Matthews, 42, was arrested yesterday and charged with aggravated assault and false imprisonment.

The victim, Matthews’ ex-girlfriend, reportedly told Gainesville Police Department Officers that Matthews pointed a gun at her and would not let her leave the Pine Ridge apartment. She said she was eventually able to sneak out of the apartment and call the police.

Others who were in the apartment said that Matthews never had a gun; however, the victim said the incident happened in a bedroom and the witnesses were in the living room.

A resident of the apartment gave officers permission to search the apartment for drugs and guns, and they reportedly found two revolvers, matching the description given by the victim, in the bedroom. Illegal drugs were also reportedly found, and an investigation into the drugs is continuing.

Matthews has nine felony convictions and has served five state prison sentences, with his most recent release in January of 2021. He is being held on $350,000 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.