Career Offender arrested for selling drugs near Lynch Park

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Rickie Jerome West, 53, was arrested yesterday on three drug charges after officers reported that he conducted a “hand-to-hand” drug sale near Lynch Park.

At 1:52 p.m. yesterday, Gainesville Police Department Officers were conducting an increased patrol at 400 S. Main Street because of recent complaints about open-air drug sales in that area, and an officer reportedly saw West conducting a “hand-to-hand” transaction.

The officer made contact with West, who reportedly said he had “tunchi” in his backpack; “tunchi” is a synthetic cannabinoid. The green leafy substance weighed 0.12 grams.

A search of West’s backpack reportedly produced two prescription pill bottles that were not prescribed to him; one contained 10 pills of lorazepam (Ativan), and the other contained 36 pills of dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride (Focalin).

West reportedly said at first that the pills belonged to a friend. Post Miranda, he reportedly said that the green leafy substance was “tunchi” and that he found the pills dumpster diving.

West, whose address is listed as GRACE Marketplace, is a Career Offender with eight felony convictions (none violent) and two misdemeanor convictions (none violent). He has served seven prison sentences, all out of Alachua County, with his most recent release in 2017. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $70,000.

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.