Gainesville man arrested for DUI plus drug and gun charges after traffic stop

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jhody Epifanio Salcedo, 22, was stopped yesterday morning for careless driving and then charged with driving under the influence, along with drug and gun charges, after an officer reportedly saw an AR-15 in the car and later found drugs and a revolver.

At about 7:08 a.m. on February 27, a Gainesville Police Department (GPD) crime scene investigator reported a car that was swerving between lanes and had hit the curb several times. A GPD officer found the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. The officer reported seeing an AR-15 in the passenger seat that was within immediate reach of the driver and was later found to have a magazine attached and a round in the chamber.

A second officer arrived and asked Salcedo, the driver, to step out of the car, but he reportedly refused and said he could legally carry the AR-15 and as much ammunition as he wanted. The two officers reportedly tried to physically remove Salcedo from the vehicle while he tried to pull away and get back to his vehicle, and they had to wait for additional backup before they were able to bring him under control.

The second officer reportedly saw a silver revolver inside a driver’s side door pocket, which was also readily accessible to the driver.

A search of the vehicle reportedly produced an Adderall pill that was not in a prescription bottle, and Salcedo reportedly said he did not have any prescription medication; the search also produced a baggie of powder that tested positive for cocaine.

Post Miranda, Salcedo reportedly denied being under the influence of any substance but refused to have his blood drawn, even after he was informed that refusal meant an automatic suspension of his driver’s license.

Salcedo was cited for driving under the influence and having an expired tag, and he has been charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, unlawful concealment of a firearm, and resisting an officer without violence. Salcedo has no criminal history but was charged with leaving the scene of a crash with property damage in 2023; the charge was later dropped. Judge Meshon Rawls set bail at $20,000.

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.