Local
Tools
Typography

NEWBERRY ‒ A 19-year-old Newberry man was arrested early Thursday morning after deputies discovered a Draco AK-47-style pistol with a loaded magazine in his backpack during a routine traffic stop.

According to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, deputies stopped Romance Lamar Bryant, Jr. at approximately 2:34 a.m. on May 8 for riding a bicycle against the flow of traffic without lights on State Road 45 in Newberry.

During the stop, the deputy asked Bryant if he was carrying any weapons, a question the deputy noted is standard procedure during stops. Bryant reportedly responded that he had an "assault rifle" in his backpack. Deputies detained him after learning that Bryant, at 19 years old, was not legally allowed to carry a concealed firearm.

A search of Bryant’s backpack reportedly revealed a Draco AK-47-style pistol, equipped with a loaded magazine of 7.62 × 39 bullets. The Draco, a compact semi-automatic pistol modeled after the AK-47 rifle, is legally classified as a handgun but cannot be lawfully concealed by individuals under 21.

The deputy also noted the odor of marijuana coming from Bryant and the backpack. Post Miranda, Bryant allegedly told deputies that a friend had handed him the backpack at a nearby gas station just before the stop. He admitted that he knew a gun was inside and was aware that he could not legally carry it concealed due to his age. Bryant reportedly expressed regret for his decision to carry the weapon and denied possessing drugs, though he mentioned he might have a small amount of marijuana in his jacket.

During a search incident to arrest, deputies reportedly found one broken oxycodone pill in his possession, which Bryant spontaneously identified as “probably a perc.”

Bryant has been charged with unlawfully carrying a concealed firearm and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. According to court records, he has no prior criminal history.

Judge Adam Lee set bail at $30,000.

#     #     #

Email cwalker@

alachuatoday.com

View Comments