Man who thanked judge for “second chance” arrested for drug possession and carrying concealed firearm
BY JENNIFER CABRERA
NEWBERRY, Fla. – Joseph Michael Tugman, 26, of Newberry, was arrested early this morning and charged with drug possession and carrying a concealed firearm after a deputy reportedly found him asleep in a parked car with the engine running.
An Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy made contact with Tugman at about 12:25 a.m. this morning after he observed a car parked with its lights on and engine running, just outside the entrance to the bus loop at Oak View Middle School.
The deputy made announcements over his patrol car’s PA system for the driver to get out of the car, but there was no response. He reportedly saw a male, later identified as Tugman, in the driver’s seat, apparently asleep. The deputy awakened the man by knocking on the passenger side window, and Tugman was asked to get out of the car.
The deputy reported that Tugman had a large fixed-blade knife visible on his belt and that Tugman denied having any other weapons and gave consent to search his person. Deputies reportedly found a loaded .38 revolver in an inside-waistband holster, about one gram of cocaine, and about 0.7 grams of methamphetamine.
Post Miranda, Tugman reportedly said he didn’t know what the substances were and admitted he did not have a valid concealed weapon permit.
Tugman has been charged with carrying a concealed firearm without a permit, committing a third-degree felony while armed, cocaine possession, and possession of a controlled substance. Bail information is unavailable on weekends.
Tugman was arrested in 2015 and charged with stealing an iPod, a BB gun, and a revolver from a neighbor and pawning the items. He entered a plea of nolo contendere to five felonies in exchange for one year of community control, followed by four years of probation; adjudication of guilt was withheld. In 2018, he requested early termination of his probation and thanked the judge in advance for giving him a “second chance”; the probation was terminated shortly after that.
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.
Wonder who’s going to give him a “third” chance? A chance to OD. A chance to kill someone in a vehicle accident. A chance to rob someone for a “fix.” A chance to shoot someone.
There’s an old saying, “fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.”
The judge Walter Green- that’s who.
“Green-light Green” cause he lets everybody go
That’s G’ville! Widely know as the best “catch and release” program in the State.Do we have awards for this category?
Another cry baby baser. Good riddance.
Not the brightest bulb in the box. Not appropriate for living in a college town, either.