Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Late last night, authorities detained 33-year-old Lavonta Eddie Sol following an incident at a local gas station where he allegedly reversed into a patrol car, prompting an aggravated assault charge.
The collision occurred around 11:44 p.m. on July 19 at the Chevron located on West University Avenue. When officers conducted a check of Sol’s driving credentials, they uncovered an active warrant for aggravated assault and illegal firearm possession by a previous felon.
Subsequent to his arrest on these charges, a routine search found Sol wearing a concealed carry undershirt minus any weapons. Officers observed marijuana residue and a used blunt in the driver’s side door, leading to a thorough vehicle search. They discovered a crossbody bag in the front passenger seat containing 4.1 grams of methamphetamines, 4.6 grams of fentanyl, 3.7 grams of marijuana, a loaded Glock 23, 13 rounds of Smith & Wesson .40 cal bullets, several empty bags, and a digital scale.
After being informed of his rights, Sol admitted to driving into the patrol car. He explained he had traveled to Gainesville from Kissimmee with his wife and was sitting in the passenger seat when the accident happened. However, he disclaimed any knowledge of the contents of the crossbody bag found in the car.
Sol’s wife reportedly said at first that Sol rode in the back seat, but she later changed her story and said he’d been in the front passenger seat.
The warrant was for a March 15 incident in which a woman got into an argument with the victim in the 700 block of NW 4th Avenue; after the victim retreated to her vehicle, Sol allegedly approached the victim’s car and pointed a silver pistol at her, causing her to fear that she would be shot. The victim said Sol told her, “If you come back, you know what will happen,” and then he hit the front passenger side window twice with the pistol; the officer reported that there were two scratches in the glass.
Sol has been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and misdemeanor property damage in the March incident. Last night’s incident led to charges of possession of a weapon during the commission of a second-degree felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, two counts of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of a firearm or ammunition by someone who is knowingly prohibited from possessing those items, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Sol has four felony convictions (two violent) and has served two state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2024. He is on pre-trial release on a human trafficking case in Marion County. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $604,000.
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.