Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – John Edward Dane Roberts, Jr., 31, and Maliah True-Blanchard, 31, were arrested yesterday and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell and maintaining a drug dwelling after they reported a home invasion robbery.

Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the couple’s home on August 24 after they reported a home invasion robbery in which the suspect struck a man in the head with a firearm before fleeing. The victim said he fired multiple rounds at the suspect as he fled down the driveway.

Detectives told the couple that they wanted to collect evidence in the interior of the residence, and the residents reportedly said they needed to put their dogs away but did not otherwise object. Deputies reportedly found 11.1 pounds of marijuana in plain view in a bedroom used by a visitor to the home. Both Roberts and True-Blanchard reportedly denied ownership of the marijuana and then denied consent for deputies to search for any other illegal substances in the residence.

A residential search warrant was applied for and granted by Judge David Kreider.

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Deputies executing the search warrant reportedly found another 7.2 pounds of marijuana in the home, most of which was in the master bedroom used by Roberts and True-Blanchard. Deputies also reportedly found a scale and baggies of marijuana with prices written on them, and 13 firearms were found in the home and in vehicles at the residence. $2,644 in cash, secured with rubber bands, was reportedly found in True-Blanchard’s purse; deputies noted that this is commonly associated with illegal narcotics sales.

Deputies also reportedly found multiple bags of THC gummies on the kitchen table, along with more cash. Deputies noted that the residence was in “disarray” and every room had signs of drug usage, including drug paraphernalia, marijuana, and baggies.

Roberts has one misdemeanor conviction (none violent); Judge Thomas Jaworski set bail at $30,000.

True-Blanchard has no criminal convictions; Judge Jaworski set bail at $7,000.

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.