In a recent incident in Gainesville, Florida, two young men, Peyton Artavious Anderson, 23, and Michael Lorina Harrison Jr., 22, found themselves in police custody following a traffic stop that revealed a significant drug haul and a firearm in their vehicle. Both men were already on probation at the time of their arrest.

The situation unfolded on the evening of December 18, shortly after 6 p.m., as an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy observed an SUV driving erratically. The vehicle, which was reported to have entered a right-turn-only lane, suddenly accelerated straight through an intersection, causing other drivers to brake abruptly to avoid a collision. This prompted the deputy to initiate a traffic stop near the intersection of SW 17th Road and SW 67th Street.

According to the deputy, Harrison was behind the wheel, while Anderson occupied the backseat. Upon approaching the vehicle, the deputy detected a strong odor of burnt marijuana, leading to the involvement of a narcotics K-9 unit. The K-9’s reaction provided probable cause for a thorough search of the SUV.

The search yielded troubling results: authorities discovered a loaded Glock 27 handgun, loose marijuana, and a marijuana “roach.” Additionally, they uncovered eight bags of marijuana, totaling 51.5 grams, alongside a bag containing 11.1 grams of a substance that tested positive for MDMA and fentanyl. Four ecstasy pills were also part of the illicit cache.

The alert provided probable cause to search the SUV, and the search reportedly produced a loaded Glock 27 handgun; several pieces of loose marijuana and a marijuana “roach”; 8 bags of marijuana, with seven 6.5-ounce bags and one 6-ounce bag, for a total weight of 51.5 grams; a bag containing 11.1 grams of a substance that tested positive for MDMA and fentanyl; and four “ecstasy” pills.

Anderson

Post Miranda, Anderson reportedly said he is aware that Harrison sells marijuana and MDMA and he often promotes Harrison’s illegal narcotics “business” on his own Instagram story because he has more followers. Anderson reportedly admitted that he’d had the handgun earlier in the day and had taken pictures with it. He reportedly said he is aware that he is a convicted felon who is not permitted to possess firearms. He also reportedly admitted to recently purchasing the “ecstasy” pills and said that Harrison had told him to hide them as they were being pulled over.

Anderson has been charged with possession of trafficking quantities of fentanyl, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He has juvenile convictions in 2018 and 2019, five adult felony convictions (one violent), and two adult misdemeanor convictions (non-violent); he has served two state prison sentences, with his most recent release in October 2024. He is on probation out of Taylor County for battery on a law enforcement officer.

Judge Jonathan Ramsey ordered Anderson held without bail on the fentanyl 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 Ramsey set bail at $50,000 on the other charges.

Harrison

Post Miranda, Harrison reportedly said he didn’t know anything about illegal narcotics in the vehicle and said he does not sell illegal narcotics.

Harrison has been charged with possession of trafficking quantities of fentanyl, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, maintaining a vehicle for the purpose of selling drugs, and possession of drug paraphernalia; he was also charged with violation of probation. He has one felony conviction (non-violent) and six misdemeanor convictions (non-violent) and is on probation for attempted burglary of an occupied dwelling.

Judge Ramsey ordered Harrison held without bail 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 Ramsey also ordered him held without bail until the probation violation is resolved. He set bail at $50,000 on the remaining 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.