By Staff Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Marquis Johnathan Tippins, aged 29, was taken into custody yesterday following allegations of assault involving a firearm. A woman accused Tippins of “pistol-whipping” her, and upon his arrest, authorities reportedly discovered a significant quantity of marijuana and a revolver with its serial number obliterated.
The incident unfolded around 7:09 p.m. on December 23, when deputies from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to Bellamy Grand Apartments, located at 2625 SW 75th Street. The victim recounted a heated argument with Tippins earlier that day, which escalated when he allegedly grabbed her neck as she sat inside a vehicle. She managed to break free by rolling up the window. Further, she reported a previous incident from the prior week, claiming Tippins had threatened her with a gun and struck her with it. The deputy observed that she had swelling on her head and injuries to her hands, suggesting she had used them to shield herself from the blows.
While one deputy gathered the victim’s statement, another located Tippins near the rear gate of the apartment complex. During the arrest, officers reportedly found a loaded revolver with an obscured serial number and a substantial amount of marijuana, each package seemingly prepared for sale.
In a post-Miranda interview, Tippins allegedly acknowledged possessing the firearm but claimed both the gun and the marijuana belonged to an unnamed friend. He conceded that a dispute with the victim had occurred; however, he asserted that he, too, sustained injuries. When asked to present evidence of his injuries and to share text messages indicating the altercation was purely verbal, Tippins reportedly declined.
Tippins faces multiple charges, including a first-degree felony for aggravated domestic battery, illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, tampering with a firearm’s serial number, possession of over 20 grams of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. While a full account of his criminal record is not available, Tippins has previous convictions, including a felony burglary and battery in Georgia.
Judge Julie Johnson ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that hearing.
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.
