Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Niyani Arcola Markham, 22, has been charged with property damage and two incidents of battery, all inside the Alachua County Jail, in the past two weeks; the charges are on top of a July charge for battery on another inmate and charges from January, February, and March for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Markham was most recently arrested on March 19 for kicking two officers while they were trying to arrest her for possession of drug paraphernalia. At the time, she had two misdemeanor convictions and was on pre-trial release from January and February arrests for resisting an officer without violence and possession of drug paraphernalia (the arrests were for separate incidents but carried the same charges); Judge Kristine Van Vorst set bail at $57,500 on the new charges, which included three felonies: two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer with violence.

On April 29, Markham entered a plea of nolo contendere to the four misdemeanor charges in the January and February cases. Judge Susan Miller-Jones sentenced her to 60 days in jail with credit for 51 days served and fined her $326; she was also sentenced to 12 months of probation in the January case, with requirements for random drug screens and a substance use evaluation and treatment.

On July 3, Markham threw a mattress at another inmate in the jail and then hit her several times before detention staff could intervene. She was charged with battery on a jail inmate by another jail inmate.

Early on the morning of September 2, Markham allegedly went to the sink area of her pod and repeatedly pushed the button on the soap dispenser, spilling soap on the floor; she could reportedly be seen on surveillance video, moving the soap around on the floor with a towel to make it “sudsy.” Just before the battery, Markham reportedly walked to the sink, and, while standing still, appeared to slip on the soap, throwing a cup of water on another jail inmate, who was lying on her bed on a raised platform. The arrest report notes that this appeared to be an intentional act because Markham allegedly placed the soap on the floor, was standing still when she “slipped,” and grabbed the sink to brace herself before falling.

Earlier on that same night, jail staff reported another incident involving the victim and Markham’s bunkmate that resulted in the bunkmate being removed from the pod. The arrest report notes that in the video from that incident, Markham held a cup of water in her right hand, but when she allegedly threw water on the victim later, she was holding the water in her left hand, where the victim’s bed was. Post Miranda, Markham reportedly said she slipped and fell. Judge Meshon Rawls added bail of $15,000 on that charge.

Later in the day on September 2, Markham entered a plea of nolo contendere in the July case, and Judge James Colaw sentenced her to three years of probation, including a requirement to successfully complete a residential treatment program.

On September 9, Markham reportedly climbed to the top bunk of her bed and reached above her head, then climbed down and came back with a black mat. She reached over her head again, and a few minutes later, the sprinkler head over her bed was found to be broken, and Markham was reportedly lying down on her bed, covering herself. The total damage was estimated at $700. Markham was charged with property damage over $200, and Judge Susan Miller-Jones added $2,500 to her bail and ordered her held without bail until the probation violation cases are resolved.

Yesterday, a detention officer was trying to move Markham to her cell when Markham allegedly shoved the officer to the ground; the officer reportedly suffered a sprained wrist. Post Miranda, Markham reportedly said she pushed the officer because the officer grabbed her, and she did not comply with the officer’s commands because she was upset that she was not allowed to have anything, even a book, in jail.

Markham has been charged with battery on a detention officer and resisting an officer with violence. Judge Jonathan Ramsey added bail of $27,500 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.