Man on drug offender probation charged with drug dealing and firearm possession

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Gary A. Hill, 26, was arrested yesterday and charged with selling drugs, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and resisting an officer without violence.

At about 6:22 p.m. on October 24, Gainesville Police Department officers saw Hill in a “high crime/drug area” (8th Avenue Food Store, 1634 NE 8th Avenue) and gave commands for him to stop, but Hill allegedly ran when he saw the officers.

Officers reported that Hill reached into his jacket pocket as he went around a brick wall; he was reportedly apprehended after jumping over multiple fences.

A search incident to arrest reportedly produced about 27.2 grams of marijuana and a digital scale.

Officers retraced his flight path and reportedly found a loaded Taurus 9mm handgun.

Although Hill was warned that introducing contraband into the jail would result in an additional charge, detention deputies reportedly found about a gram of marijuana hidden in his underwear when he was booked into the jail.

Officers encountered Hill within 1,000 feet of the Clarence R. Kelly Center and within 1,000 feet of a convenience store.

Post Miranda, Hill reportedly said he did not understand his rights, so he was not interviewed.

Hill has been charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a convenience store, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a park, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a controlled Schedule I substance with intent to sell, smuggling contraband into a detention facility, and resisting an officer without violence. He has four felony convictions (two violent) and three misdemeanor convictions (non-violent) and is on drug offender probation until September 2027. Judge William Davis set bail at $220,000.

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.