Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – David Charles Stillwell, 50, of Alachua, was arrested last night on drug trafficking and firearm charges after a traffic stop.

On the night of October 1, at approximately 10:30 p.m., a deputy from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office stopped a car on NW 39th Avenue’s 7400 block due to an expired registration. The driver, identified as Stillwell, had a suspended license, and the officer noticed he appeared anxious.

Stillwell reportedly informed the officer that a firearm was in the center console but declined to allow a search of the vehicle. A K-9 unit then arrived and signaled the presence of drugs, giving the police a probable cause to conduct a search.

The search uncovered a .357 revolver in the center console, a backpack with a 9mm handgun and a digital scale, along with a secured money bag. Stillwell’s key opened this bag, which contained roughly 18 grams of methamphetamine, an additional 32 grams of a substance also testing positive for meth, plus a metal grinder with meth residue.

Charges against Stillwell include possession with intent to traffic methamphetamine, two counts of firearm possession during the commission of a felony, using a car for drug activity, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He has three prior misdemeanor convictions, one involving violence. Bail was set at $200,000 by Judge Jonathan Ramsey.

Articles regarding arrests are derived from law enforcement reports. The listed charges are sourced from arrest and/or court records and are solely accusations. Every suspect is considered innocent until a court rules otherwise.