Lake City man charged with illegal possession of firearm

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Dejhan Malik Baker, 21, of Lake City, was arrested early this morning and charged with illegal possession of a firearm and resisting arrest. He was released from state prison on January 26.

A Gainesville Police Department officer responded to a call about a suspicious person behind Mother’s Pub and Grill, near 1200 SW 1st Avenue, at about 1:30 a.m. A witness said a person was standing around for about 45 minutes and selling narcotics; the officer called for backup, and while he waited, the witness said the suspicious person had left because of the police presence.

When backup arrived, the officer began patrolling the area and saw Baker, who did not match the description of the suspicious person. However, as officers approached, Baker allegedly reached for his waistband, and when officers shined flashlights on him, he dropped a 9mm pistol in a holster to the ground. Baker reached for the firearm but was told not to pick it up, and then he allegedly ran.

Baker was apprehended after a foot chase and placed under arrest. After the officer checked his identity, he learned that Baker is a convicted felon who recently completed an 18-month prison sentence for willful child abuse and has a Protection Order stating that he cannot possess a firearm.

Baker was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm by a person subject to an injunction, and resisting arrest without violence.

Baker has a juvenile history and one adult felony conviction; Judge Walter Green set bail at $25,000.

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.