Woman arrested for threatening officers with authentic-looking BB gun
Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Melissa Yvette Carter, 47, was arrested yesterday morning and charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer after allegedly waving an authentic-looking BB gun at two officers who were conducting a trespassing investigation.
The Gainesville Police Department officers responded to a trespassing call at O’Reilly Auto at 1208 E. University Avenue and reportedly found Carter sleeping in front of the business. The officers reported that she refused to leave at first and then became angry with the officers; she then mumbled about having something in her backpack and started rummaging in the backpack.
The officers reported that she walked away from them, then looked back and said she had something for them in her backpack; the officers reported that they feared she may have a weapon in the backpack.
Carter reportedly walked to the median in front of the business, then allegedly looked directly at the officers, pulled out a black handgun, and waved it in the air in the direction of the officers.
An officer approached Carter from the rear and reportedly saw that she was concealing a handgun. Carter was detained, and a search reportedly produced a “fully functional gas-powered BB gun that looked identical to a real handgun” and a small glass pipe.
Post Miranda, Carter reportedly admitted that she used the pipe to smoke illegal drugs.
As of May 2023, Carter had 14 felony convictions (four violent) and 30 misdemeanor convictions (three violent). She has served five state prison sentences, with her most recent release in 2021. As of May, she had two pending felony cases and one pending misdemeanor case. 14 charges in 13 cases have been dropped since her last conviction in 2021, most of which were for trespassing. Bail information is unavailable on weekends.
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.Â
That crack head wants to go back to prison. Maybe she’ll get judge Colaw and he’ll honor her wish. The other judges will probably let her walk
Sorry folks but this woman needs a life without parole. It is the only place that will protect the public from her.
Any bets on her bail amount? I say $10,000 or ROR.
This woman is obviously mentally ill. She needs some real time where she can dry out.
Yeah unfortunately for her she’s using the wrong drug. Our govt doesn’t like those who use crack because they are generally wild and out of control like this one right here.
What our govt leaders would much more prefer is that she change her drug of choice to fentanyl. This way she can be more zombie-like, docile, and overall easier to manage/control. She might even overdose and die and then our govt could get rid of her entirely.
Florida needs a 3 Strikes to Starve Lawyers referendum in 2024. Period.
Just say no to drugs.
14 felony convictions? Is that correct? It’s by the grace of God the cops didn’t light her up with that BB gun.
Another example of lax prosecution by the SAO. The woman needs help for that crack addiction.
Now there’s a face…..only a mother could love and even then the mother is probably severely myoptic too.
Everyone is talking about the drugs. Imagine how much money her relatives would have made if the cops smoked her right there for waving the gun at them. Making yourself sacrificial lamb for a large sum payout is a plan increasing in popularity.
First of all Ms. Carter does have a drug problem as she admitted that to the police. However she is someones sister,mother,grandmother, daughter and my cousin. Her family loves her but not the path she has chosen to take. Every family has problems and it’s sad that your talking about her as if she isn’t HUMAN. Stop degrading people you know LITTLE ABOUT.
She degraded herself, we’re just commenting on it.
Ok, she obviously needs help. You seem like you know her well enough to open your doors and let her live with you till she gets proper treatment. I do not know her well enough to open my door or wallet to her. And I would not foolish believe that a hug will make it better. 14 felony conviction it’s time for her to go away for a while.
Whew, clearly this one has a vacancy sign: no IQ, no character, nothing human left.
Pure Trash. Put that dog to sleep.
Jeannie Oh No you didn’t!!
Wow what if it was your relative