Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Luis Enrique Cruz Gonzalez, 33, was arrested early this morning on allegations of driving under the influence and assaulting a law enforcement officer. According to the arrest report, Cruz Gonzalez presented a Mexican passport for identification and told a deputy he had been living in the United States illegally for six years.
The incident began around 9:52 p.m. October 24, when a deputy reportedly saw a white vehicle drifting out of its lane. The deputy initiated a traffic stop, but the car initially slowed without stopping. It continued moving slowly while weaving near the edge of the lane before eventually pulling over.
The deputy said Cruz Gonzalez took several minutes to exit the vehicle and appeared to be moving around inside. He allegedly handed over his Mexican passport and indicated that he did not speak English.
According to the report, Cruz Gonzalez had bloodshot eyes and was placed in handcuffs. When the deputy attempted to communicate through a translation app, Cruz Gonzalez allegedly became confrontational and began shouting.
Deputies then attempted to put Cruz Gonzalez into a patrol vehicle, but he allegedly stiffened his body and resisted. The report states that deputies had to pull him from the vehicle. When they tried to place him inside again, he allegedly pushed against the vehicle, attempted to drop to the ground and tried to headbutt a deputy.
Deputies did not conduct field sobriety exercises because of safety concerns. A search of the vehicle reportedly uncovered a 12-pack of Modelo beer: two cans were missing, one was empty and another was half-full. All of the cans were cold, suggesting they had recently been removed from refrigeration. The half-full can was spilling onto the rear floorboard and appeared to have been placed there moments earlier.
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After being advised of his Miranda rights, Cruz Gonzalez reportedly said he had been in the country illegally for six years. He also allegedly acknowledged drinking beer before driving, said he was intoxicated and told deputies he tried to headbutt the deputy because he was angry.
Two breath tests recorded alcohol levels of 0.198 and 0.196 g/210L—more than twice the legal limit.
Cruz Gonzalez faces charges of driving under the influence and assault on a law enforcement officer. His complete criminal history was unavailable because those records are not posted on weekends. Judge Meshon Rawls set bail at $5,000.
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.
