25-time convicted felon arrested with firearm and cocaine after foot chase

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Kenyatta Jermaine Patterson, Sr., 45, was arrested yesterday and charged with three felonies and two misdemeanors after allegedly running from an officer and dropping a revolver and cocaine along his path.

At about 2:21 p.m. on Tuesday, a Gainesville Police Department Officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for multiple stop sign violations; Patterson was reportedly the driver and sole occupant of the car. The vehicle turned into a residential driveway in the 1000 block of NW 6th Avenue, drove to the rear of the home, and Patterson reportedly got out of the vehicle, carrying a backpack. The officer reported that Patterson looked at him, ran, and climbed a chain link fence. The officer reportedly grabbed his ankle, and Patterson reportedly began taking items from the backpack, including a small white box and paperwork with Patterson’s name on it.

The officer wrote that he lost his grip, and Patterson continued over the fence; the officer lost sight of him. The officer reportedly found a .22 revolver on the ground next to the paperwork, loaded with three live rounds and two spent cartridges.

Patterson was reportedly arrested in the 1200 block of NW 4th Avenue. Officers retraced his path and reportedly found the white box, which contained a small amount of crack cocaine. Officers also reportedly found about 14 grams of crack cocaine scattered near the box. The report notes that this amount of cocaine is consistent with street-level drug sales; users typically purchase an amount under one gram and consume the drugs immediately. The report also notes that Patterson had no paraphernalia for consuming cocaine.

Patterson has been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, driving without a valid license as a habitual offender, illegally carrying a concealed weapon, and resisting an officer without violence. Patterson has 25 felony convictions (two violent) and 23 misdemeanor convictions (two violent). He has served four state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2013. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $85,000.

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.

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