Gainesville man arrested for fentanyl trafficking

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Michael Deon Woulard, 46, was arrested early this morning and charged with fentanyl trafficking and 13 other charges after reportedly promising to cooperate with law enforcement and then fleeing Alachua County.

On September 26, Woulard was pulled over on I-75 in a rental car, and Florida Highway Patrol Troopers reportedly found 146 grams of fentanyl in a search of the vehicle. Woulard is reportedly known to purchase fentanyl in south Florida, then mix it with a cutting agent before selling it. It was estimated that the fentanyl in the car could be packaged into 3,800 individual bags at $20 per bag, so the street value of the fentanyl was estimated at $76,000. Troopers also found 244 grams of a cutting agent and $1,253 in cash.

An Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy spoke with Woulard at the scene and reportedly asked if he would be willing to cooperate with law enforcement; Woulard reportedly agreed to cooperate and said he had purchased the fentanyl in south Florida and was transporting it to Alachua County to sell. Woulard also reportedly provided his phone to law enforcement, including contact information for the supplier.

Woulard was reportedly escorted to his residence, where more drugs and more of the cutting agent were allegedly found. Deputies also reportedly found a firearm in his bedroom and learned that it had been reported stolen in 2021. As a convicted felon and Registered Sexual Predator, Woulard is not permitted to possess firearms.

Woulard was released because of his promise to cooperate, but he allegedly evaded law enforcement’s efforts in the investigation, and on October 8, deputies received information that Woulard intended to flee Alachua County. A deputy contacted Woulard, who reportedly agreed to meet but instead turned off his cell phone and fled. A warrant was issued for his arrest at that time.

Woulard has been charged with five counts of failing to comply with reporting requirements for sexual predators, trafficking in fentanyl, possession of opiates with intent to sell, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, two counts of maintaining a structure or vehicle for drug trafficking, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, use of a 2-way communications device to commit a felony, and possession of drug equipment.

Woulard has 11 felony convictions and is a Registered Sexual Predator. He has served two state prison sentences and was most recently released in 2018. Judge Kristine Van Vorst set bail at $1,285,000 on the charges.

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.