By Staff

NEWBERRY, Fla. – A 23-year-old man, Darius Dwayne Stackhouse, Jr., found himself in custody yesterday after being charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. Stackhouse, currently on probation, is also dealing with previous charges of drug and marijuana possession stemming from an incident on October 19.

The events unfolded around 4:37 p.m. on October 30, when a deputy from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle due to its occupants not wearing seatbelts. The deputy reported a strong smell of marijuana emanating from both Stackhouse and the vehicle. Despite this, Stackhouse allegedly refused permission for the vehicle to be searched.

A K-9 unit was brought to the scene and indicated the presence of illegal substances in the car. Subsequently, a search was conducted, revealing 45 grams of marijuana, a weighing scale, and five Buprenorphine strips, which is a regulated medication.

After being informed of his rights, Stackhouse reportedly chose not to respond to any inquiries. He was subsequently arrested and now faces charges for possessing over 20 grams of marijuana, intent to distribute, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and violating his probation terms.

Earlier, on October 19 at approximately 10:08 a.m., another deputy had pulled over the same vehicle for a traffic violation. During that stop, Stackhouse was identified as a “known drug dealer” and a felon on probation for marijuana distribution. His probation terms strictly prohibit him from having alcohol or illegal drugs.

The deputy reported the odor of unburnt marijuana coming from the vehicle, and when asked if he had any marijuana, Stackhouse reportedly said there was a small “roach” in the driver’s side door. The deputy noted that Stackhouse has a medical marijuana card, but the marijuana was not in the proper packaging. A probable cause search reportedly produced about 0.3 grams of unburnt marijuana in the driver’s side door and a pill bottle with 11 pills of dextroamphetamine that were not prescribed to Stackhouse.

The deputy charged Stackhouse via sworn complaint with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, and violation of probation. Stackhouse has not been booked on those charges.

Stackhouse has juvenile convictions between 2015 and 2020, two adult felony convictions (non-violent), and five adult misdemeanor convictions (non-violent). He has served one state prison sentence and was released in 2022. He is on probation for selling marijuana and is facing the charges from the October 19 incident.

Judge Meshon Rawls ordered him held without bail until the probation violation case is resolved, and she set bail of $85,000 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.