Local
Tools
Typography

ALACHUA – A 22-year-old Gainesville man was arrested early April 1, 2026, on drug and firearm charges after allegedly attempting to flee a traffic stop, according to police.

An officer with the Alachua Police Department stopped a vehicle at 12:36 a.m. on U.S. Highway 441 after clocking it traveling 71 mph in a 45-mph zone. The driver, identified as Travis James Wheeler, admitted he had been speeding and apologized, the officer reported.

During the stop, the officer reported smelling marijuana coming from the vehicle and seeing marijuana “shake” in plain view on the center console. Wheeler provided a medical marijuana card, but the officer reported that neither Wheeler nor his passenger had valid authorization to possess marijuana at the time.

According to the report, Wheler then moved from the front of the patrol vehicle back toward his car, got inside and started it, placing his hand on the gear shifter as if preparing to leave. A second officer ordered him to return to the patrol vehicle, but Wheeler allegedly ignored commands and continued trying to reenter and operate the vehicle.

Officers removed Wheeler from the car and arrested him on a charge of resisting an officer without violence.

A search of the vehicle yielded about 30 grams of marijuana in a bag in the back seat and a Glock 26 handgun with an extended magazine in the center console, loaded and readily accessible, according to police.

Wheeler is charged with possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana and resisting an officer without violence.

Court records show no prior convictions. He was arrested in September 2024 on a marijuana possession charge following a traffic stop, but that case does not appear in available court records.

Judge Adam Lee set bail at $100,000.

#     #     #

email cwalker@

alachuatoday.com

View Comments