Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jamie Lamarr Ball, 49, who faced arrest in November 2024 for allegedly discharging a firearm multiple times at Forest View Apartments, has received a sentence of 120 days in jail followed by three years of probation. He pled nolo contendere to charges of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

On November 24, at approximately 6:49 p.m., officers from the Gainesville Police Department responded to several reports of gunfire at Forest View (1000 SW 62nd Blvd). Witnesses directed officers to building 13, where Ball was allegedly spotted walking away, close to the location where four shell casings were discovered.

Upon detaining Ball, officers reportedly found a .380 caliber round in his pocket matching the casings outside his apartment, alongside a set of keys that included one for a safe. A K-9 unit then discovered a pistol in a safe on the back porch of Ball’s apartment, near a stack of mail addressed to him and a box of matching .380 rounds with five rounds missing.

Ball was originally charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, discharging a firearm on residential property, and using a firearm while under the influence of alcohol. At the time, he had two felony convictions (none violent) and 10 misdemeanor convictions (two violent).

In March, a formal charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon was filed, and the other charges were dropped. On June 24, Ball entered a plea of nolo contendere to the charge and was sentenced to 120 days in jail (with credit for 22 days served), followed by three years of probation. During probation, he must undergo drug and alcohol evaluation and any recommended treatment, abstain entirely from alcohol and illegal drugs, and submit to random urine testing.