Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Kenneth Emmanuel Cruz-Santiago, 25, was arrested early this morning and charged with possession of cocaine, over 20 grams of marijuana, and a pistol; he is on pre-trial release on a Hillsborough County charge of possessing over 25 pounds of marijuana.

At about 12:51 a.m. on January 12, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Nissan Altima near mile marker 382 on I-75 for missing a front headlight and window tint that was suspected to be illegal; the tint was later measured at 11%, and a citation was issued to the driver.

Cruz-Santiago was a passenger in the car, which was rented by the driver. The deputy reported that there was a backpack at Cruz-Santiago’s feet, along with an empty holster that held a separate magazine.

The deputy asked Cruz-Santiago if there was a firearm in the car, and Cruz-Santiago reportedly said it was a BB gun.

Cruz-Santiago reportedly admitted he had marijuana in the glove box and also identified the substance as marijuana, both pre- and post-Miranda.

The deputy conducted a search of the vehicle based on smelling green un-burnt marijuana inside the vehicle and reportedly found about 26 grams of marijuana in the glove box with Cruz-Santiago’s wallet, five .40 caliber bullets in the magazine, a Smith & Wesson M&P .40 caliber pistol under the driver’s seat, and four vapes labeled as containing cannabis. According to the deputy, none of the occupants of the driver had a medical marijuana card.

The other two occupants of the car were released.

At the jail, the deputy reportedly asked Cruz-Santiago if he had any contraband, and Cruz-Santiago reportedly said he had cocaine in his wallet. The deputy reported finding about 0.54 grams of a substance that tested positive for amphetamines in the wallet.

Cruz-Santiago has been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, and possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana. Locally, Cruz-Santiago has one felony conviction (non-violent) and two misdemeanor convictions (one violent); the arrest report states that he has multiple felony convictions. He is on pre-trial release on a Hillsborough County charge of possessing 25 pounds or more of marijuana. Judge Craig DeThomasis set bail at $25,000.

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.