GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A 35-year-old Hidden Oak Elementary custodian has been arrested in Gainesville after police said he injured an officer during a traffic stop that led to the discovery of a reportedly stolen handgun and suspected drugs. The School Board of Alachua County identified Kenneth Dale Anderson II as an employee at the school and said he will be placed on leave.
According to Gainesville Police Department reports, an officer pulled over a vehicle driven by Anderson at about 12:25 a.m. on September 17 after it allegedly ran a red light near SE 3rd Avenue and SE Hawthorne Road. The vehicle stopped at a daycare in the 1700 block of SE Hawthorne Road, where a K-9 unit reportedly alerted officers to possible illegal substances inside.
Police said Anderson used a door code to enter the business, explaining that he was there to clean. He allegedly attempted to get away by going inside, then shut the building’s door on an officer’s arm. The arrest report said the officer sustained serious bruising and other injuries.
Officers then took Anderson to the ground and handcuffed him, police said.
Following the K-9 alert, officers searched the vehicle and reportedly located a bag containing a Taurus G3C handgun with an extended magazine. Police said the gun had been reported stolen in Columbia County in 2022. The bag also allegedly held several controlled substances, including 1.0 grams of powdered amphetamines, one MDMA pill, three amphetamine pills and one Suboxone pill.
Investigators said the bag also contained several pencils. Although the report identifies Anderson in the case, it states that “Henderson” said the pencils were given to children at Hidden Oak Elementary.
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After being advised of his Miranda rights, Anderson reportedly said he opened the daycare door only to show that he had access to the business. He denied trying to lock himself inside to avoid police, according to the report. Anderson said his mother had rented the vehicle for him and that he and his mother were the only people who drove it. He denied knowing about the gun or drugs, suggesting his mother may have allowed someone else to use the vehicle.
Anderson’s mother later arrived and told officers she had rented the vehicle for him, though police said the rental agreement listed Anderson’s name. She also reportedly said that she and Anderson were the vehicle’s only drivers.
Anderson faces charges of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a controlled substance, battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer with violence. Court records show he has one prior non-violent felony conviction. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set his bond at $140,000.