David Allen Butler, a 45-year-old Alachua man, was charged Wednesday with possession of heroin, meth and an unprescribed drug. He was also charged with reckless driving.
Butler was pulled over by an Alachua County Sheriff's officer just after 1 p.m. for recklessly driving in Gainesville. According to the arrest report, he was driving into oncoming traffic and off the road through the Meadowbrook Elementary school zone.
The officer reported Butler showing signs of impairment, slurred speech and watery eyes, at the traffic stop. The officer searched Butler and found a glass smoking pipe with residue inside and two clear plastic baggies with what was later confirmed to be 1.7 grams of meth and 0.5 grams of heroin in his pockets.
Butler faces a fifth charge of intending to sell meth, according to the report.
After searching Butler’s vehicle, the officer found six pills, which were identified as a muscle relaxant and an unprescribed medication.
Butler admitted to using the substances less than two hours before the traffic stop, according to the report.
He was placed under arrest, transported to UF Health Shands Hospital for medical clearance, and booked into the Alachua County Jail, where he awaits trial.
Contact Teia Williams at twilliams@alligator.org. Follow her on X @teia_williams.
Teia Williams is a journalism senior at UF and the Fall 2026 criminal justice reporter. This is her fourth semester with The Alligator. If she isn't writing an article, you can find her a concert, reading a book or somewhere soaking up the sun.
