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Friday, March 29, 2024

Ocala man without concealed permit arrested after officer finds loaded gun on passenger seat

A 30-year-old Ocala man was arrested after a loaded gun was found on the passenger seat of his vehicle during a traffic stop.

On Saturday, February 19, at around 11:10 p.m., an Ocala Police Department officer observed a gray Chrysler 200 that was traveling southbound near the 2000 block of NW 8th Avenue.

According to the OPD report, the vehicle was traveling at approximately 42 miles per hour which was 12 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. After the vehicle continued traveling at that speed for a few blocks, the officer conducted a traffic stop in the 1400 block of NE 2nd Avenue.

The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was identified as Shavar Dejuan McDonald.

Shavar Dejuan McDonald
Shavar Dejuan McDonald

The officer smelled marijuana, and McDonald handed over his driver’s license and medical marijuana card to the officer. McDonald stated that he had smoked in his car prior to leaving a social event.

Due to the odor of marijuana, the officer advised McDonald that a vehicle search was going to be conducted. McDonald informed the officer that there was a firearm next to him and he pointed to the passenger seat.

While the officer searched the vehicle, another OPD officer arrived on scene and waited with McDonald near an OPD patrol car.

The officer conducting the search located multiple containers with a green leafy substance inside which were from a dispensary. A baggie filled with marijuana was also located and appeared to be from the same dispensary.

On the passenger seat, the officer found a small red-and-black duffel bag which was open. Inside the bag, the officer located a black 9mm handgun which was loaded with eight rounds, and one round was in the chamber. The handgun’s safety was in the off position.

The handgun was not secured in a container, bag, or holster. Inside the glove compartment, the officer observed an extended magazine for the handgun, and a ski mask was also spotted on the back seat of the vehicle.

The officer ran a computer search on the handgun and it was not reported stolen. McDonald told the officer that he knew it was not stolen because it was his gun.

The OPD report indicated that McDonald did not have a concealed weapons permit. McDonald claimed that he always stored the handgun in the glove compartment, and he just happened to leave it inside the duffel bag on the day of the traffic stop.

McDonald was arrested, transported to Marion County Jail, and he was later released on $2,000 bond. He is facing a felony charge for carrying a concealed weapon without a license.

A court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.