Hawthorne man arrested for vehicle theft, drug possession, and assault on officer
Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Johnny Mack Bryant, Jr., 37, was arrested Sunday night after allegedly trying to hit an officer with a stolen car and then fleeing across Gainesville before deputies deployed stop sticks on SE Hawthorne Road.
Gainesville Police Department officers reportedly located a stolen Hyundai Sonata in the area of Pineridge Apartments on NW 23rd Terrace and attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle on NE 39th Avenue near Ironwood, but the driver, later identified as Bryant, allegedly refused to stop and drove through the Eden Park complex.
At about 10:45 p.m., an officer on foot in the apartment complex drew a gun and gave verbal commands to Bryant, but Bryant allegedly accelerated toward the officer, who narrowly dodged the car.
Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies picked up the chase in the 4300 block of SE Hawthorne Road and deployed stop sticks, successfully stopping the vehicle.
While following the car, a GPD officer reported that he saw something thrown out the window in the area of Earl Power Park; a search of the area reportedly produced two baggies containing 21 grams of methamphetamine and 6 grams of cocaine.
A search of the vehicle reportedly produced an Ecstasy tablet.
Post Miranda, Bryant reportedly admitted driving the vehicle but said he didn’t know it was stolen; he said his friend told him to drive it. Bryant also reportedly admitted swallowing an Ecstasy pill during the incident. Bryant reportedly said he never saw or heard the lights or sirens while officers were trying to pull him over and that he never saw the officer on foot or tried to hit him with the car.
Bryant later reportedly said that an unknown man in the back seat pointed a gun at him and told him to keep driving; he said the man jumped out of the car at some point, but officers following the vehicle reported that they never saw anyone get out of the car.
Bryant was transported to the hospital to be treated for ingesting the Ecstasy pill.
Bryant has been charged with fleeing, aggravated assault on an officer, grand theft of a vehicle, possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of trafficking quantities of methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment, and tampering with evidence.
Bryant has nine felony convictions (four violent) and seven misdemeanor convictions (one violent); he has served three state prison sentences, with his most recent release in August 2022. He has three active warrants with three pending felony cases in Marion County and one pending felony case in St. Johns County. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $905,000.
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.
Yet another POS who has no business being out of prison. Put him back. Given the charges he may see 10 years but most likely not.
Apparently 14+ years of FREE public (pre-)education isn’t enough for *some* peeps 🤡👹🍦🍦🍦D
I find it interesting that after three prison sentences, multiple felonies, three active warrants of which two are in different counties, the judge still gave a bond… I don’t care that it is a high bond because it is apparent he knows people and will likely be bonded out. Then we wonder why there is so much violence and crime🙄. The judges are part of the problem!
What’s he going to do, get a job?
The judge who gave a $905,000 bond is part of the problem.?? Puhleeeze…. take that crazy and smoke it. You’re delusional.
Anything to keep him off the streets helps. I prefer leg irons upon release that way a K-9 doesn’t have to chase him as far the next he commits another felony.
Well I mean how many times does it take to learn a lesson? Violent crimes and still yet there is a bond set! So yes I said what I said and meant every bit of it. When there was more than enough evidence! And the judges in this town slap too many on the wrist!
Nobody is coming up with $90,000 to bond his useless ass out…
Can’t complain about that bond- good job, Judge!
Walter Green would’ve probably only given this oxygen thief about a $25k bond
“Bryant later reportedly said that an unknown man in the back seat pointed a gun at him and told him to keep driving; he said the man jumped out of the car at some point, but officers following the vehicle reported that they never saw anyone get out of the car.”
He needs a psych evaluation while they’re at it.
I personally know him and he’s not crazy at all. A womanizer, a woman beater. A nobody. I hope he rots in there. Karma is real