In a significant drug bust, Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 53-year-old Ronnie Leron Williams, Sr. on October 7th in Gainesville, Florida. The arrest followed a search warrant executed at Williams’s residence in Tower Village, which reportedly uncovered a substantial stash of illicit substances, all while a young child was present in the home.

The search revealed a variety of drugs: 43.5 pills of Doxycycline Hyclate, which were not prescribed to Williams, 10.32 grams of crack cocaine, and 77.16 grams of marijuana, meticulously divided into 20 separate bags. Authorities also found 15.55 grams of fentanyl, distributed across 18 small baggies, and 5.55 grams of Oxycodone pills. The presence of drug paraphernalia, including a digital scale, baggies, and razor blades, suggested the home was being used for drug packaging and distribution.

During the arrest, deputies also discovered additional fentanyl on Williams’s person. Three more dime-sized baggies, each bearing a unique bulldog graphic, contained 0.32 grams, 0.32 grams, and 0.29 grams of the potent opioid, bringing the total amount of fentanyl found to 16.48 grams.

Williams’s home is situated in a sensitive location, being within close proximity to several community landmarks. It lies less than 1,000 feet from Veterans Memorial Park, about 700 feet from Wiles Elementary School, and under 1,500 feet from Kanapaha Middle School. Additionally, it’s less than 1,400 feet away from the Haile Equestrian Center, a venue known for hosting children’s programs.

Williams’s home is less than 1,000 feet from Veterans Memorial Park, less than 700 feet from Wiles Elementary, less than 1,500 feet from Kanapaha Middle School, and less than 1,400 feet from Haile Equestrian Center, which offers programs for children.

An infant was reportedly present in the home when the search warrant was executed, along with numerous items that indicated the child spends a substantial amount of time at the residence. According to the arrest report, “numerous” dime-sized baggies containing fentanyl were stored in the kitchen near food and snacks for the infant.

Along with charges that Williams, as a sexual offender, failed to register a vehicle and provided false registration information, the search warrant led to two counts of selling drugs within 1,000 feet of a school or park, possession of trafficking quantities of fentanyl, maintaining a drug dwelling with knowledge that a minor is present, three counts of possession of a Schedule I controlled substance with intent to sell, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance with intent to sell, child neglect without great bodily harm, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to sell, and possession of a new legend drug with intent to sell.

Williams, a registered sexual offender, has 10 felony convictions (non-violent, one sex offense) and four misdemeanor convictions (non-violent) and has served three state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2017. Judge Meshon Rawls ordered him held without bail on the fentanyl trafficking 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 Rawls set bail at $750,000 on the other 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.