Alachua Traffic Stop Leads to Jail Sentence

GAINESVILLE ‒ An Alachua traffic stop has resulted in jail time for one man. On Thursday, Dec. 15, 18-year-old Ronnie Ryan Padgett was sentenced to 90 days in the Alachua County Jail.

On Sunday, Sept. 4, by City of Alachua Police Sergeant B. Young was conducting traffic control on Northwest U.S. Highway 441 and saw a white passenger van traveling at 77 miles per hour in a 55-mph zone. He conducted a traffic stop at the 15000 block of Northwest U.S. Highway 441.

The vehicle pulled into a nearby gas station and struck a concrete barrier near the gas pump, which caused the vehicle to come to a complete stop.

Padgett admitted to not having a valid driver’s license and having marijuana inside his pocket. A search of the vehicle revealed a glass smoke pipe with a piece of Brillo pad and a smoked blunt.

Padgett claimed the pipe was not his and he did not know what it was used for. Young also located four gas cards that belonged to an Alachua business, which Padgett said he was given by a friend. He also said the vehicle belonged to his mother’s friend named “Brian,” and that he had dropped it off for him to use because Padgett’s personal vehicle had been disabled on the highway.

Alvin Crews, a 51-year-old passenger, was “sleeping” in the front seat during the officer’s encounter with Padgett. After being awakened by officers, Crews was asked if he had anything illegal inside the vehicle or on his person.

Crews said, “That’s a good question” and began to empty his pockets. Crews pulled out a glass smoke pipe stuffed with a Brillo pad and a small silver container. The container had a clear lid and officers were able to see a white powdery and solid substance consistent with cocaine. The substance tested positive for crack cocaine during a roadside field test. The total weight of the crack cocaine was 20.8 grams.

Officers contacted the registered owner of the passenger van and it was discovered that the van was stolen from their residence.

Officer C. Vargas responded to the business that was listed on the gas cards located on Padgett. He discovered a crow bar stuck between the passenger side window and the door frame of a vehicle belonging to the business and several of the business vehicles were unlocked.

Padgett was credited for 55 days served toward the jail sentence, but he must serve two years of drug offender probation, repayment for the cost of prosecution and fines, no alcohol or illegal drug use and random drug screens.

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