Gainesville man pulled over for speeding, then charged with DUI, stealing a car, and threatening to kill a police officer

Staff report

Updated with criminal history and bail information on March 2.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Brayden James Merrill, 20, was arrested early this morning and charged with threatening to kill a police officer, driving under the influence, grand theft of a vehicle, and driving without a license.

At about 3:30 a.m. on February 28, a Gainesville Police Department officer reported that a vehicle was speeding on SW 13th Street; he paced the vehicle at 55 mph in a 45 mph zone and noted that the vehicle was still pulling away from him. The vehicle also reportedly changed lanes twice without using a turn signal. The officer initiated a traffic stop, and the vehicle stopped at 2701 SW 13th Street.

The officer reported that the driver, later identified as Merrill, got out and asked why he was being pulled over, and although the officer told him multiple times to stay in the vehicle, the driver continued getting out, so the officer had him move to the front of the patrol vehicle.

When the officer explained the reason for the traffic stop, Merrill reportedly said the speed limit was 55 mph. The officer noted that Merrill swayed while standing, his eyes were watery and puffy, and the distinct odor of an alcoholic beverage came from his mouth when he spoke. The officer reported that when Merrill was asked for his birth date, he gave his last name several times, and he kept repeating questions after they had been answered by the officer.

As other officers arrived, Merrill reportedly became more agitated, took off his jacket, and said, “Imma beat your [expletive].” He was taken into custody, where he allegedly escalated the threats, saying he would have an officer killed by other people, he would kill the officer, and he would have the officer’s family killed.

Merrill reportedly said he did not have permission to drive the vehicle he had been driving, so officers should charge him with grand theft auto. An officer contacted the registered owner of the car, who said she did not know Merrill was driving her car and he did not have permission to drive her car.

Because Merrill reportedly said he would fight officers if his handcuffs were removed, field sobriety tests were not performed. After he was read the implied consent statement, he allegedly refused to submit to a breath test.

Merrill has been charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle, assault on a police officer, driving under the influence, and driving without a valid license. He has one juvenile conviction and one misdemeanor conviction for driving without a valid license from a July 2025 incident. Judge Jonathan Ramsey set bail at $27,500.

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.