Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a troubling incident, 60-year-old Jeffrey James Smith from Interlachen found himself in police custody after an altercation involving a bus, during which he allegedly forced entry and verbally assaulted the driver.
On March 12, around 3:30 p.m., officers from the Gainesville Police Department were dispatched to a location at Walmart, situated at 5700 NW 23rd St., following a disturbance on a bus operated by “The Ride Solution.”
According to the bus driver, Smith aggressively pried open the bus doors and boarded without permission. When instructed to leave, he reportedly began shouting threats at the driver, repeatedly stating his intention to “beat her [expletive].”
Fearing for their safety, the driver contacted 911 and maintained communication until police arrived, while passengers exited the bus to avoid confrontation with Smith.
Upon arrival, the officer observed Smith continuing his tirade against the driver, refusing to disembark. Despite being warned that noncompliance would lead to his arrest, Smith purportedly remained defiant. Consequently, the officer placed him in handcuffs and removed him from the vehicle. Even as he was being detained and searched, Smith allegedly persisted in yelling at both the driver and passengers.
A witness reportedly corroborated the driver’s story.
Smith has been charged with disorderly conduct, making a threat of bodily harm, trespassing after a warning, and resisting an officer without violence. He has one felony conviction (non-violent) and 12 misdemeanor convictions (four violent) and has an unspecified criminal history in other states from 1989 to 2025. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $11,000 and ordered a mental health evaluation.
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.
