Man on probation charged with drug possession and attempted carjacking; deputies seek carjacking victim
Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – John Roosevelt Wilson III, 36, was arrested yesterday after allegedly fleeing from deputies and trying to get into a passing vehicle; he was also charged with selling drugs.
At about 3:38 p.m. on December 15, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy saw a vehicle fail to stop at a stop sign and conducted a traffic stop on that vehicle in the 3900 block of SW 24th Avenue. The deputy reported that the driver, later identified as Wilson, refused to get out of the vehicle, and at one point, he allegedly tried to drive away, but a deputy used a patrol vehicle to block him in.
Wilson allegedly got out of his vehicle and fled, then ran up to a passing vehicle and started pulling repeatedly on the rear passenger door, in an attempt to enter the vehicle. When he was unable to open the door, Wilson allegedly climbed on top of the vehicle and held on to the roof racks.
The driver of the passing vehicle put her hands up in the air “in a clear distress signal” and quickly drove away, possibly because she was in fear of being harmed. A deputy deployed a taser to arrest Wilson.
Alachua County Sheriff’s Office released the following statement in an effort to locate the victim: “Deputies are continuing efforts to make contact with the individual involved in the attempted carjacking. We understand this was a frightening experience, and our priority is the safety and well-being of everyone involved. If you were the driver of the vehicle, or if you know who may have been involved, we ask that you contact us to assist with the investigation. You are not in any trouble, and your information may help us fully document this incident. Please call 352-955-1818, option 5.”
A K-9 alerted on the presence of illegal narcotics in Wilson’s vehicle, and a search reportedly produced 17 oxycodone pills, 1.6 grams of crack cocaine, and 3.3 grams of fentanyl powder. The quantities were “far more than a normal user amount and were prepackaged by type and ready for quick distribution,” according to Wilson’s arrest report.
Post Miranda, Wilson reportedly claimed ownership of the drugs and said he had recently purchased them nearby.
Wilson, who has been designated as a Violent Felony Offender of Special Concern, has been charged with unarmed attempted carjacking, possession of fentanyl with intent to sell, possession of oxycodone with intent to sell, possession of cocaine with intent to sell, aggravated fleeing, renting a vehicle for the purpose of selling narcotics, and resisting an officer without violence. He has six felony convictions (one violent) and three misdemeanor convictions (non-violent) and has served two state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2023. He is on probation for exploitation of an elderly victim. Judge Jonathan Ramsey ordered him held without bail on the attempted carjacking charge, pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that hearing. Judge Ramsey set bail at $100,000 on the other charges.
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.