Man arrested in Alachua after running from officers on U.S. 441

Staff report

ALACHUA, Fla. – Anthony Brandon Williams, 42, was arrested late last night and charged with possession of trafficking quantities of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, two counts of possession of Ecstasy, and resisting an officer after Williams allegedly ran from a traffic stop in Alachua.

An Alachua Police Department officer pulled Williams over in the 16500 block of U.S. Hwy 441 at about 10:50 p.m. last night and requested consent to search the car. After Williams denied consent, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy and K-9 team arrived and established probable cause to search the car, at which point Williams allegedly ran away on foot along U.S. Hwy 441.

A deputy reportedly chased Williams for about 100 yards before Williams ran into the woods; Williams reportedly surrendered after deputies announced that a K-9 was present.

A deputy walked back along Williams’ path and found a balled-up sock in a sandy area that was wet due to recent rains; the deputy reported that the sock was dry and was not covered in debris, so it had been dropped very recently. A search of the sock reportedly produced 55 grams of methamphetamine, broken pills that tested positive for Ecstasy, and 0.62 grams of MDPV. A scale and baggies were reportedly found in the car.

Williams has seven felony convictions (none violent) and seven misdemeanor convictions (none violent), mostly drug charges (the others are for driving without a valid license). He has served three state prison sentences for selling drugs, with his most recent release in 2013. He was arrested for possession of Ecstasy pills in 2020, but the charge was dropped. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $250,000.

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.