Suspect in double homicide located on I-75, arrested by ACSO

Press release from Alachua County Sheriff’s Office

The St. Petersburg Police Department asked for assistance in locating a suspect who had removed his ankle monitoring device and was making suicidal statements. It was also learned that the suspect was wanted as a person of interest in a double homicide investigation being conducted by the St. Petersburg Police Department.

Deputies successfully located the vehicle traveling north on Interstate 75 around 2:10 a.m. A traffic stop was conducted as the vehicle exited onto NW 39th Avenue. The driver was identified as 29-year-old James C. Pagan. Pagan was taken into custody on felony drug charges in Alachua County based upon evidence located in the vehicle. He was transported to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office to further the investigation.

Detectives from the St. Petersburg Police Department responded to Alachua County to question Pagan. After interviews with the detectives, St. Petersburg Police have charged Pagan with two counts of Homicide and a Violation of Probation. He will remain in the Alachua County Jail to face local felony charges before being released to St. Petersburg.