Staff report
NEWBERRY, Fla. – Romance Lamar Bryant, Jr., 19, was arrested early this morning for unlawfully carrying a concealed Draco AK-47-style pistol.
In the early hours of May 8, around 2:34 a.m., an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a bicyclist for traveling against traffic without lights on SR 45 in Newberry.
During the stop, the deputy inquired if Bryant had any weapons, explaining that it’s a routine question during such encounters. When Bryant confirmed possessing a weapon, the deputy asked for details, and Bryant mentioned having an “assault rifle” in his backpack. Due to the fact that 19-year-olds are prohibited from legally carrying a concealed firearm, Bryant was detained. Additionally, the deputy noted a marijuana odor emanating from both Bryant and his backpack.
A search of Bryant’s backpack reportedly produced a Draco AK-47-style pistol with a loaded magazine of 7.62×39 bullets.
After being read his Miranda rights, Bryant explained that a friend had handed him the backpack at a nearby gas station shortly before the stop. He acknowledged awareness of the gun inside the backpack and admitted knowing that carrying a concealed firearm under the age of 21 is illegal. Bryant expressed regret over his decision to carry the weapon and denied having drugs, although he mentioned there might be a small amount of marijuana in his jacket.
A search incident to arrest reportedly produced one broken oxycodone pill, which Bryant spontaneously said was “probably a perc.”
Bryant has been charged with unlawfully carrying a concealed firearm and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. He has no criminal history; Judge Adam Lee set bail at $30,000.
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.
