By Staff Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Reuben Levern Williams Jr., a 20-year-old, was taken into custody on charges related to the discovery of marijuana and oxycodone during a routine traffic stop.

The incident occurred at approximately 1:38 p.m. on March 24 when a deputy from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office pulled over a sedan on the 1000 block of East University Avenue. The driver, Williams, was reportedly spotted using a cell phone while behind the wheel, prompting the traffic stop.

Upon questioning, Williams informed the deputy that he possessed a medical marijuana card and had marijuana in the vehicle. However, the card he presented was noted to have expired in March 2025. The deputy observed several bags of marijuana in plain sight within the center console, which appeared to be improperly packaged for medical use, and detected the odor of burnt marijuana emanating from the car.

A search of the vehicle, conducted on probable cause, reportedly uncovered six small bags of marijuana, each weighing about 4.5 grams, a bag containing 11.8 grams of ground marijuana, and five Mylar bags labeled “Cannabis a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance” with approximately 14.5 grams of marijuana each. Additionally, over 250 empty sandwich bags were found.

After Williams was seated in the patrol car, he was cautioned that any hidden contraband would lead to further charges. Williams then reportedly admitted to having pills concealed in his pants. A subsequent search revealed 13 oxycodone pills.

Post Miranda, Williams reportedly said that all of the marijuana was medical marijuana, but it was not prescribed to him. He reportedly said the pills were “Percocet” (oxycodone) and denied selling any of the illegal items found in the vehicle.

Williams has been charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of oxycodone with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to manufacture, maintaining a vehicle for the purpose of selling drugs, and violating probation. He has a juvenile conviction from 2022, three adult felony convictions (non-violent), and one adult misdemeanor conviction (non-violent), and he is on probation for burglary of an unoccupied vehicle. Judge Meshon Rawls ordered him held without bail until the probation violation is resolved and set bail at $135,000 on the new charges.

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.