Three Newberry 19-year-olds arrested after traffic stop

Staff report

NEWBERRY, Fla. – Edwin Lee Daniels III, 19; Jacques Demetris Harris, 19; and Neville Emanuel Lowe, 19; all of Newberry, were arrested last night after a deputy reported finding marijuana and a stolen gun in Harris’ car during a traffic stop.

At about 10:06 p.m. on March 4, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Harris in the 500 block of NW 251st Street after Harris allegedly ran a stop sign and then turned on his left turn signal before suddenly turning right. Daniels was reportedly the front seat passenger, and Lowe was in the back seat.

The deputy reported that the vehicle quickly pulled into a residential driveway and Harris got out; the deputy described him as “standoffish” and wrote that he initially refused to walk back to the patrol vehicle when asked. The deputy also reported that he recognized Harris because he had stopped him in the same vehicle and arrested him in November 2024 for possession of a stolen firearm and possession of marijuana.

The deputy reported that he immediately smelled both burnt and raw marijuana coming from Harris and the vehicle, and marijuana “shake” and plastic baggies containing “shake” were in plain view.

While the deputy was interviewing the front seat occupants, a second deputy reported that the back seat passenger was refusing to identify himself; that deputy reported that he told the man, later identified as Lowe, that he could be arrested if he refused to identify himself.

A probable cause search of the vehicle reportedly produced a 9mm Glock 19 next to a loaded extended magazine in the glove box; the gun was not in a holster and was readily accessible to both front seat occupants (Harris and Daniels). The deputy also noted that the gun “appeared to have just been hastily placed there.” The gun was reported stolen out of Newberry in September 2024.

The search also reportedly produced baggies containing marijuana, one on each side of the center console, between the seats and the console. Multiple baggies containing marijuana “shake” were reportedly found throughout the car, and a grinder containing marijuana was in the center console. An empty 9mm ammunition box was reportedly found in the back of the vehicle.

Although Daniels reportedly said he had a medical marijuana card that was not with him, the deputy reported that none of the marijuana was in a medical marijuana dispensary container.

The deputy noted that all three men live “fairly close” to the location where the gun was stolen.

Post Miranda, Daniels reportedly said the marijuana on his side of the center console was his, but he denied any knowledge of the gun, saying he cannot be near guns because he has a felony conviction.

Daniels has been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, grand theft of a firearm, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Daniels has a juvenile conviction, an adult felony conviction, and two adult misdemeanor traffic convictions. Judge Meshon Rawls set bail at $104,000.

Post Miranda, Harris reportedly said at first that he did not want to answer questions but later said he didn’t know anything about the gun and this was “different from last time.” He repeatedly said it was not his gun.

Harris has been charged with unlawfully carrying a concealed firearm, grand theft of a firearm, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He has no criminal convictions but is on pre-trial release on similar charges following a November 2024 arrest. Judge Rawls set bail at $157,000.

Post Miranda, Lowe reportedly denied knowing anything about the firearm.

Lowe has been charged with resisting an officer without violence and possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana. He has no criminal history, and Judge Rawls ordered him released on his own recognizance.

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.