Man on probation arrested for selling drugs, running from police, tampering with evidence

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Kristopher J. Morten, 29, was arrested yesterday after allegedly running from officers who suspected him of selling drugs near Food Max.

At about 11:45 a.m. on November 12, a Gainesville Police Department officer working a crime reduction detail reported seeing Morten, a suspected narcotics dealer, take a bag of suspected narcotics from an area where dealers are known to hide narcotics.

The officer reported that Morten left the property on a bicycle, and the officer followed in his patrol car; Morten allegedly turned quickly into Lynch Park when he saw the patrol car and continued to change directions to avoid the officer.

Other officers working the detail also tried to make contact with Morten, but he allegedly jumped off his bike and ran back to where he had stashed the bag of suspected narcotics. An officer reported that Morten threw the contents of the bag over a fence, then ran across Main Street before being apprehended.

A search of the area behind the fence reportedly produced two bags of drugs and a $10 bill.

Post Miranda, Morten reportedly admitted he had been selling drugs on the property of the convenience store and admitted running away from officers. He reportedly said the drugs were “spice,” also known as “K2,” and “cookie” cocaine.

The “spice” tested positive for synthetic cannabinoids (about 5.4 grams), and the suspected cocaine tested positive for cocaine (about 3.3 grams).

Morten has been charged with possession of narcotics with intent to sell, tampering with evidence, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, resisting an officer without violence, and violating probation. He has seven felony convictions (one violent) and four misdemeanor convictions (one violent). He has served one state prison sentence for burglary with battery, was released in May 2023, and is still on probation. While on probation, sworn complaints were filed against him for property damage and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, but both cases were dropped. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $87,000 on the new charges and ordered him held without bail for violating probation.

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.