Gainesville man arrested on battery, drug, and firearm charges after allegedly pistol-whipping woman

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Marquis Johnathan Tippins, 29, was arrested yesterday after a woman reported that he had “pistol-whipped” her; at the time of his arrest, he allegedly had “a large amount” of marijuana and a revolver with the serial number removed.

At about 7:09 p.m. on December 23, Alachua County Sheriff’s Depuies responded to Bellamy Grand Apartments (2625 SW 75th Street), where the victim said she and Tippins had argued earlier in the day, and the argument turned physical when Tippins grabbed her neck while she was sitting inside a vehicle, but he let go when she rolled up the window. The victim said she also wanted to report an incident from the previous week in which Tippins put a gun to her head and “pistol-whipped” her; the deputy noted that the victim had swelling on the side of her head and injuries to her hands from using them to shield herself from being hit with the gun.

While one deputy was interviewing the victim, another deputy found Tippins outside the back gate of Bellamy Grand. A search incident to arrest reportedly produced a loaded revolver with the serial number removed and “a large amount” of marijuana, individually packaged for distribution.

Post Miranda, Tippins reportedly said he knew he had the gun, but the gun and marijuana belonged to a friend he could not name. He reportedly admitted that he and the victim had argued, but he said he also had injuries; when the deputy asked to see his injuries and his text messages showing that the argument was only verbal, Tippins reportedly refused.

Tippins has been charged with committing a first-degree felony with aggravated domestic battery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, altering the serial number of a firearm, possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. His full criminal history is unavailable, but he has at least one felony burglary conviction and at least one battery conviction out of Georgia.

Judge Julie Johnson ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that hearing.

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.