Man on pre-trial release arrested for firearm and drug possession
Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Kenneth Emmanuel Cruz-Santiago, 25, was arrested early this morning and charged with possession of cocaine, over 20 grams of marijuana, and a pistol; he is on pre-trial release on a Hillsborough County charge of possessing over 25 pounds of marijuana.
At about 12:51 a.m. on January 12, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Nissan Altima near mile marker 382 on I-75 for missing a front headlight and window tint that was suspected to be illegal; the tint was later measured at 11%, and a citation was issued to the driver.
Cruz-Santiago was a passenger in the car, which was rented by the driver. The deputy reported that there was a backpack at Cruz-Santiago’s feet, along with an empty holster that held a separate magazine.
The deputy asked Cruz-Santiago if there was a firearm in the car, and Cruz-Santiago reportedly said it was a BB gun.
Cruz-Santiago reportedly admitted he had marijuana in the glove box and also identified the substance as marijuana, both pre- and post-Miranda.
The deputy conducted a search of the vehicle based on smelling green un-burnt marijuana inside the vehicle and reportedly found about 26 grams of marijuana in the glove box with Cruz-Santiago’s wallet, five .40 caliber bullets in the magazine, a Smith & Wesson M&P .40 caliber pistol under the driver’s seat, and four vapes labeled as containing cannabis. According to the deputy, none of the occupants of the driver had a medical marijuana card.
The other two occupants of the car were released.
At the jail, the deputy reportedly asked Cruz-Santiago if he had any contraband, and Cruz-Santiago reportedly said he had cocaine in his wallet. The deputy reported finding about 0.54 grams of a substance that tested positive for amphetamines in the wallet.
Cruz-Santiago has been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, and possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana. Locally, Cruz-Santiago has one felony conviction (non-violent) and two misdemeanor convictions (one violent); the arrest report states that he has multiple felony convictions. He is on pre-trial release on a Hillsborough County charge of possessing 25 pounds or more of marijuana. Judge Craig DeThomasis 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.Â
Another gun crime charge with cheap bail, and the felon already on bail. Will our judges (and voters) ever learn? Max sentences for gun related and on parole, probation, bail crimes.
Free bro
What a loser. He’s headed for a loser life.
Pre-trial release…
Notice a trend?
Makes you wonder why the police have to bother.
WTF did he come here from Tampa? Oh wait….
ACLUSPLCDNC 👺👿💩👹🤡
Looks like another one of those foreign criminals that Joke Bidumbdumb ‘invited’ here.
Oh please, do explain what you mean by “looks like another one of those foreign criminals.”
Does he reside at the Poe Poe encampment for illegals?
He was born in a US territory so no, he’s not an “illegal.” You ever get outside?