Men on probation arrested for drug and firearm possession

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Peyton Artavious Anderson, 23, and Michael Lorina Harrison Jr., 22, who are both on probation, were arrested yesterday after trafficking quantities of drugs were reportedly found in their vehicle; a handgun was also reportedly found.

At about 6:17 p.m. on December 18, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on an SUV near the intersection of SW 17th Road and SW 67th Street after reportedly seeing the SUV pull into a right-turn-only lane and then accelerate to go straight through the intersection, forcing other vehicles to slam on their brakes.

The deputy reported that Harrison was driving the vehicle, and Anderson was the backseat passenger. The deputy noted a strong smell of burnt marijuana, and a narcotics K-9 team responded and alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle.

The alert provided probable cause to search the SUV, and the search reportedly produced a loaded Glock 27 handgun; several pieces of loose marijuana and a marijuana “roach”; 8 bags of marijuana, with seven 6.5-ounce bags and one 6-ounce bag, for a total weight of 51.5 grams; a bag containing 11.1 grams of a substance that tested positive for MDMA and fentanyl; and four “ecstasy” pills.

Anderson

Post Miranda, Anderson reportedly said he is aware that Harrison sells marijuana and MDMA and he often promotes Harrison’s illegal narcotics “business” on his own Instagram story because he has more followers. Anderson reportedly admitted that he’d had the handgun earlier in the day and had taken pictures with it. He reportedly said he is aware that he is a convicted felon who is not permitted to possess firearms. He also reportedly admitted to recently purchasing the “ecstasy” pills and said that Harrison had told him to hide them as they were being pulled over.

Anderson has been charged with possession of trafficking quantities of fentanyl, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He has juvenile convictions in 2018 and 2019, five adult felony convictions (one violent), and two adult misdemeanor convictions (non-violent); he has served two state prison sentences, with his most recent release in October 2024. He is on probation out of Taylor County for battery on a law enforcement officer.

Judge Jonathan Ramsey ordered Anderson held without bail on the fentanyl 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 $50,000 on the other charges.

Harrison

Post Miranda, Harrison reportedly said he didn’t know anything about illegal narcotics in the vehicle and said he does not sell illegal narcotics.

Harrison has been charged with possession of trafficking quantities of fentanyl, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, maintaining a vehicle for the purpose of selling drugs, and possession of drug paraphernalia; he was also charged with violation of probation. He has one felony conviction (non-violent) and six misdemeanor convictions (non-violent) and is on probation for attempted burglary of an occupied dwelling.

Judge Ramsey ordered Harrison held without bail 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 also ordered him held without bail until the probation violation is resolved. He set bail at $50,000 on the remaining 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.