Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Two individuals on probation, Peyton Artavious Anderson, 23, and Michael Lorina Harrison Jr., 22, were taken into custody yesterday after authorities discovered significant quantities of drugs and a firearm in their vehicle.

The incident occurred around 6:17 p.m. on December 18 when an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy initiated a traffic stop on an SUV near SW 17th Road and SW 67th Street. The vehicle reportedly entered a right-turn-only lane but then continued straight through the intersection, causing other drivers to brake suddenly.

Upon stopping the SUV, the deputy identified Harrison as the driver and Anderson as the backseat passenger. The officer detected a strong odor of burnt marijuana, prompting a narcotics K-9 unit to investigate further. The K-9 alerted the presence of drugs inside the vehicle.

This alert provided the deputy with probable cause to search the SUV. The subsequent search uncovered a loaded Glock 27 handgun, several pieces of loose marijuana, and a marijuana “roach.” Additionally, officers found eight bags of marijuana—seven containing 6.5 ounces each and one with 6 ounces—totaling 51.5 grams. Furthermore, a bag containing 11.1 grams of a substance tested positive for MDMA and fentanyl, along with four ecstasy pills.

Anderson

Post Miranda, Anderson reportedly said he is aware that Harrison sells marijuana and MDMA and he often promotes Harrison’s illegal narcotics “business” on his own Instagram story because he has more followers. Anderson reportedly admitted that he’d had the handgun earlier in the day and had taken pictures with it. He reportedly said he is aware that he is a convicted felon who is not permitted to possess firearms. He also reportedly admitted to recently purchasing the “ecstasy” pills and said that Harrison had told him to hide them as they were being pulled over.

Anderson has been charged with possession of trafficking quantities of fentanyl, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He has juvenile convictions in 2018 and 2019, five adult felony convictions (one violent), and two adult misdemeanor convictions (non-violent); he has served two state prison sentences, with his most recent release in October 2024. He is on probation out of Taylor County for battery on a law enforcement officer.

Judge Jonathan Ramsey ordered Anderson held without bail on the fentanyl charge, pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that hearing. Judge Ramsey set bail at $50,000 on the other charges.

Harrison

Post Miranda, Harrison reportedly said he didn’t know anything about illegal narcotics in the vehicle and said he does not sell illegal narcotics.

Harrison has been charged with possession of trafficking quantities of fentanyl, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, maintaining a vehicle for the purpose of selling drugs, and possession of drug paraphernalia; he was also charged with violation of probation. He has one felony conviction (non-violent) and six misdemeanor convictions (non-violent) and is on probation for attempted burglary of an occupied dwelling.

Judge Ramsey ordered Harrison held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that hearing. Judge Ramsey also ordered him held without bail until the probation violation is resolved. He set bail at $50,000 on the remaining 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.