Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jalen Malik Campbell, 18, was arrested yesterday and charged with possession of marijuana, possession of a machine gun, and possession of a firearm by a delinquent under 24 years of age.

At about 1:58 p.m. on Friday, Gainesville Police Department (GPD) Officers saw a group of people at Sweetwater Square Apartments (3101 NE 15th Street) that included someone who was previously trespassed from the property and had a history of gun violence. The officers moved toward the group but lost sight of them.

A GPD officer who was patrolling the area reportedly saw Campbell, the trespassed individual, and another black male at the southeast corner of the C building; when the three males saw the officer, they reportedly ran to the east along the fenceline at the southern edge of the complex.

Officers on NE 31st Avenue apprehended Campbell after he reportedly jumped a six-foot “no-climb” fence back into the apartment complex. Officers reported a “heavy odor of cannabis” as they approached Campbell, and a search incident to arrest reportedly produced 16 grams of marijuana and $438 in cash.

Officers and a K-9 team retraced Campbell’s path to find any evidence that may have been discarded, and they reportedly found a loaded .40 caliber Glock 27 with a 15-round magazine and an aftermarket “Glock switch” modification. The “Glock switch” makes the gun fully automatic.

The officers noted that there was no dirt or debris on the gun, indicating that it hadn’t been there long. There were also reportedly red fibers on the front of the gun that matched Campbell’s red hoodie; Campbell’s black shirt reportedly had similar red fibers on it.

Post Miranda, Campbell reportedly admitted the Glock was his and said he purchased the “Glock switch” from an unknown white man in his mid-30s for $150. He also reportedly admitted the marijuana was his.

Campbell’s full criminal history is unavailable because juvenile records are not public, but he was convicted as a juvenile of an offense that would be a felony for an adult.

Judge Donna Keim set bail at $40,000.

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.