Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Trezahn Gerell Ellis, 27, and Tearance Diamante Richardson, 27, were arrested early this morning and charged with possession of a machine gun after officers reportedly found two firearms in their car, including one with a “Glock switch.”

At about 11:25 p.m. on March 22, a Gainesville Police Department officer noticed a car in the 2500 block of E. University Avenue that appeared to speed up when the driver saw the patrol car. The officer followed the car, which made several turns, allegedly running a stop sign, in an apparent attempt to evade the officer.

The officer reported that when he turned on his patrol lights, the car parked in front of a house in the 2100 block of NE 3rd Avenue and two men got out and quickly walked toward the house. The officer told them to come back to the vehicle and noted that there was a “strong odor” of burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle.

The officer reported that Ellis “became defensive” and asked why the officer had stopped them. After the officer explained that he saw the car run a stop sign, Ellis reportedly said he did not have his driver’s license with him but provided his name and date of birth. The officer learned that Ellis is a convicted felon in a 2022 case for failing to return a rented car and in a 2024 case for cashing fraudulent checks; he was sentenced to three years of probation in August 2024. The officer also learned that Richardson is a convicted felon, having been convicted of carrying a concealed firearm when he was 16 in Palm Beach County.

When the officer mentioned the burnt marijuana odor, Ellis reportedly said nobody had been smoking marijuana, only Black & Mild.

After backup arrived, officers searched the vehicle and reportedly found burnt marijuana “roaches” in the vehicle. They also reportedly found a Glock 29 with a “Glock switch” in the center console and a Glock .40 S&W in the glove compartment. A “Glock switch” converts a semi-automatic pistol into a selective-fire machine pistol that is capable of fully automatic fire.

Post Miranda, Ellis reportedly said the vehicle was his but denied ownership of either firearm; he said his brother had been in his vehicle earlier in the day.

Ellis has been charged with possession of a machine gun. He has a juvenile conviction from 2015, three adult felony convictions (none violent), and one adult misdemeanor conviction. He was arrested in 2023 for threatening to hit a woman’s car with his car, but the charges were later dropped. Judge Adam Lee set bail at $5,000.

Post Miranda, Richardson reportedly denied ownership of either gun, but because one of the guns was located directly in front of him in the glove compartment, he was charged with possession of a machine gun and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Richardson’s full criminal history is unavailable, but he was sentenced to probation as a youthful offender in the 2016 case and then sentenced to a short jail sentence after violating probation multiple times. Judge Adam Lee set bail at $10,000.

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.