A Gainesville man and registered sex offender was arrested Wednesday on charges of drug possession and sale.
The Gainesville-Alachua County Drug Task Force began an investigation into 68-year-old Thaddeus Edge a few months ago, according to a sworn complaint, alleging he’s “known to sell crack cocaine” and other substances.
During the investigation, Edge was reportedly seen making interactions that seemed like “narcotics transactions” on multiple occasions, according to the report. Multiple tips to law enforcement alleged Edge was a known drug dealer.
The task force investigator obtained a search warrant for Edge’s apartment on May 5. Before the search was executed, the investigator conducted a traffic stop the next day when Edge left his apartment.
Edge denied owning any fentanyl during the traffic stop but told law enforcement he had “one piece of crack” in his home.
A search of the apartment found 10.62 total grams of substituted cathinone, a synthetic stimulant similar to cocaine, and two bags of cocaine holding 6 grams combined. Law enforcement also found over 100 small plastic bags, two digital scales, a plate with white residue from cocaine and a calculator.
A registered sex offender, Edge lives less than 100 feet from Morning Meadow Preschool and Kindergarten, according to the report.
Edge was charged with possession of cocaine and cathinone with intention to sell within 1,000 feet of a childcare facility, drug paraphernalia and maintaining a drug dwelling.
He was arrested Wednesday following a bench warrant issued May 16.
Contact Bailey Diem at bdiem@alligator.org. Follow her on X @BaileyDiem.
Bailey Diem is a journalism junior and the Summer 2025 Engagement Managing Editor. She previously edited for the metro desk and reported for the metro and university desks. In her free time, she enjoys playing guitar or getting lost in a book.
