Three Arrested in Newberry on Drug Charges

NEWBERRY ‒ Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of stolen goods at a Newberry residence. Upon arrival Deputies found multiple people who either had active warrants or were in possession of drugs. Jared Adam Butler, 33; Wanda Shelly Snelgrove, 50 and Earl Lee Star, Jr., 43 were arrested and booked into the Alachua County Jail on July 4 just after midnight.

Deputies responded to a 911 call from a woman who said that Star and his daughter had items that had been stolen from her, that the items were at their residence in the 27000 block of West Newberry Road, and that they were refusing to give her belongings back. She also told the dispatchers that Star had an active warrant.

When deputies arrived, they encountered a car coming down the driveway, leaving the property, and they stopped it. Snelgrove was reportedly the front seat passenger. Butler, who was seated in the back of the car, had an active warrant and reportedly had methamphetamines on his person.

The drugs that were found led to a search of the car, which reportedly produced pills that tested presumptive positive for fentanyl, within reach of Snelgrove. Post Miranda, Snelgrove reportedly admitted that the pills were hers.

The deputy reported that a man who came out of the residence told him that Star was inside. However, Star allegedly refused commands to come outside and place his hands behind his back. He was eventually tased and taken into custody. Star has been charged with resisting arrest without violence. According to Alachua County records, he is being held without bond.

Butler was wanted on a warrant from Dec. 29, 2021, for violating multiple provisions of his probation for a petit theft charge. He is being held on $10,000 bond on the drug charge and without bail on the probation violation, pending first appearance.

Snelgrove has a pending criminal traffic case for driving without a valid license; she is being held on $5,000 bond on the drug charge.

Star was arrested in June 2021 on a felony drug charge. He pled nolo contendere to the charge, and adjudication was withheld. A warrant for his arrest was issued in March for violating the conditions of his probation by possessing methamphetamines. He is being held without bond pending first appearance.

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