Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Parris Tremel Lee, 31, was arrested yesterday for allegedly possessing marijuana on the campus of Duval Early Learning Academy.

A Gainesville Police Department officer reported that at about 12:43 p.m. on August 4, the principal of Duval Early Learning Academy (2106 NW 8th Avenue) reported that there was a man who had been seen hiding in a dark corner on campus and then tried to get money from a school custodian before running away. He also allegedly tried to enter the Kids Count room, where three young female counselors were working.

On August 8, the officer went back to the school to review surveillance video and reported that the man was seen looking through the window of the Kids Count room and watching the three young women for about 30-40 seconds before he knelt and started smoking something that appeared to be a “blunt.”

The officer returned to her vehicle to report her findings and saw a man who looked like the subject on the video; she reported that she spoke to the man, later identified as Lee, and he said he had previously been on campus and had spoken to the custodian.

Post Miranda, Lee reportedly denied looking through any windows but confirmed he had been smoking “weed” on campus. When the officer asked whether he had any “weed” in his backpack, he reportedly said he did, but he denied having any other illegal substances in his backpack despite mentioning to other officers that he had been smoking “molly.”

A search of his backpack reportedly produced about 0.4g of “molly,” formally identified via field testing as 2C, and about 3.4 grams of marijuana.

Lee has been charged with possession of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school during school hours, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana. He has four felony convictions (two violent) and five misdemeanor convictions (non-violent); he has served two state prison sentences and was last released on June 28, 2025. On July 1, 2025, he was arrested for shoplifting and released on bail the next morning. Judge Kristine Van Vorst set bail at $135,000 on the new 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.