Staff Report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Early this morning, authorities apprehended 33-year-old Darinton Raheem Tawan Rim following a traffic stop where officers allegedly discovered 218.5 grams of marijuana. Additionally, Rim had three outstanding warrants related to previous instances where he failed to attend court hearings for traffic violations.
Shortly after midnight on December 22, a Gainesville Police Department officer observed a vehicle on Newberry Road that did not lower its high beams when approaching other cars. The officer began following the car but refrained from activating his patrol lights or siren. The vehicle unexpectedly turned into a parking lot near an elementary school on NW 55th Street. At this point, the officer activated his lights to formally conduct a traffic stop.
Rim, sitting in the front passenger seat, handed over his Florida ID card to the officer, who then discovered Rim’s three active warrants. These warrants were for failing to appear in a hit-and-run case and two instances of driving without a valid license. This marked Rim’s fourth failure to appear in the hit-and-run case, having previously been arrested and released on his recognizance twice for the same case.
Upon arresting Rim on the outstanding warrants, he reportedly admitted to possessing marijuana. A search conducted during the arrest revealed a small amount of marijuana and various denominations of cash in his pocket, alongside a backpack containing approximately 218.5 grams of marijuana and a box of empty sandwich baggies. The officer deduced that the quantity of marijuana, presence of baggies, and cash indicated Rim’s intent to distribute the drug.
After being read his Miranda rights, Rim reportedly acknowledged ownership of the marijuana but denied any plans to sell it, claiming the baggies were for use at his workplace.
Rim has been charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He has two misdemeanor convictions (non-violent) and is facing four misdemeanor traffic charges. Judge Meshon Rawls set bail at $600 on the traffic warrants and $55,000 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.
