Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Niyani Arcola Markham, 22, has been recently charged with property damage and two counts of battery, all occurring inside the Alachua County Jail in the past fortnight; these charges are in addition to a July battery charge against another inmate and previous charges from January, February, and March for possession of drug paraphernalia.
Markham’s last arrest was on March 19 for kicking two officers during an attempt to arrest her for drug paraphernalia possession. At that time, she already had two misdemeanor convictions and was on pre-trial release from prior January and February offenses involving resisting an officer without violence and drug paraphernalia possession (for separate incidents but with identical charges). Judge Kristine Van Vorst set bail at $57,500 for the new charges, including three felonies: two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer with violence.
On April 29, Markham pleaded nolo contendere to the misdemeanors in her January and February cases. Judge Susan Miller-Jones sentenced her to 60 days in jail, with credit for 51 days already served, and fined her $326. Additionally, she received 12 months of probation for the January case, which included requirements for random drug tests and a substance use assessment and treatment.
On July 3, Markham was charged after she threw a mattress at another inmate and struck her multiple times until the detention staff intervened, leading to a charge of battery against a jail inmate.
In the early hours of September 2, Markham reportedly headed to her pod’s sink area and continuously pressed the soap dispenser button, resulting in soap spilling on the floor. Surveillance allegedly captured her using a towel to spread the soap to make the floor slippery. Before the alleged battery, Markham seemingly slipped on this soap, throwing a cup of water at another inmate lying on her bed. The arrest report suggests the act appeared intentional, as Markham placed the soap on the floor deliberately, was not in motion when she slipped, and held onto the sink before her fall.
Later that same evening, jail staff documented another incident involving Markham’s bunkmate and the same victim, leading to the bunkmate’s removal from the pod. The report mentions that footage of the first incident shows Markham holding a cup in her right hand, but when the alleged water-throwing incident occurred, it was in her left hand, aimed at the victim’s bed. After being read her rights, Markham reportedly claimed she fell accidentally. Judge Meshon Rawls added a $15,000 bail for this charge.
Later in the day on September 2, Markham entered a plea of nolo contendere in the July case, and Judge James Colaw sentenced her to three years of probation, including a requirement to successfully complete a residential treatment program.
On September 9, Markham reportedly climbed to the top bunk of her bed and reached above her head, then climbed down and came back with a black mat. She reached over her head again, and a few minutes later, the sprinkler head over her bed was found to be broken, and Markham was reportedly lying down on her bed, covering herself. The total damage was estimated at $700. Markham was charged with property damage over $200, and Judge Susan Miller-Jones added $2,500 to her bail and ordered her held without bail until the probation violation cases are resolved.
Yesterday, a detention officer was trying to move Markham to her cell when Markham allegedly shoved the officer to the ground; the officer reportedly suffered a sprained wrist. Post Miranda, Markham reportedly said she pushed the officer because the officer grabbed her, and she did not comply with the officer’s commands because she was upset that she was not allowed to have anything, even a book, in jail.
Markham has been charged with battery on a detention officer and resisting an officer with violence. Judge Jonathan Ramsey added bail of $27,500 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.
