By Staff
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Authorities have detained Adasian Chiziere Armstrong, 20, after a traffic stop led to the discovery of a firearm in his possession, which he is prohibited from owning due to past felony convictions. The arrest occurred early this morning, with police reportedly finding an AR-style pistol and 21 rounds of ammunition in Armstrong’s backpack.
The incident unfolded around 1:51 a.m. on December 3, when an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy observed Armstrong riding a scooter along SW 20th Avenue while wearing a full face mask. Noticing the unusual combination of the late hour and Armstrong’s attire, the deputy attempted a traffic stop to address suspicions of potential illegal activity. However, Armstrong allegedly failed to comply, attempting to flee on foot after the deputy maneuvered to intercept him.
Despite the deputy deploying a taser, Armstrong reportedly resisted, pushing the deputy in his attempt to escape. Reinforcements arrived quickly, and it took two deputies and the use of pepper spray to subdue Armstrong, who allegedly continued to resist even after being tasered a second time.
Upon searching Armstrong’s backpack, officers reportedly found an AR-style pistol loaded with an extended magazine containing 21 bullets.
Armstrong now faces multiple charges, including 22 counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, resisting an officer with violence, fleeing with lights and sirens active, unlawfully carrying a concealed firearm, and wearing a mask on a public street. Armstrong has a history of legal troubles, with two prior felony convictions and two misdemeanor convictions, all non-violent, and is currently on probation for drug possession and fleeing law enforcement. Judge Meshon Rawls has set Armstrong’s bail at $425,000, mandating a GPS monitor and imposing a curfew from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
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.
