Hawthorne Man Arrested with Lost Gun and Large Drug Cache After Stop

NE 14th Street, Gainesville, Florida, USA - On July 5, a routine traffic stop in Gainesville ended with the arrest of 27-year-old William Blas Hernandez from Hawthorne, marking another stark reminder of the ongoing drug crisis in Florida. Hernandez drew the attention of law enforcement after being pulled over for speeding—traveling 54 mph in a 45 mph zone on NE 14th Street. Unfortunately for him, it wasn’t just his driving that raised red flags.

Upon approaching the vehicle, officers noticed that Hernandez appeared visibly nervous, even lighting a cigarette during the stop. Questions about illegal narcotics or weapons prompted a brief but telling glance towards a gold backpack in the car. Although he initially claimed there was nothing of concern in the vehicle, a search revealed a loaded 9mm pistol, leading to a deeper investigation that uncovered a significant amount of illegal substances.

A Troubling Discovery

The backpack contained a striking array of items: 42 grams of pressed pills, identified by Hernandez as MDMA, along with 18.6 grams of methamphetamines and an unknown purple powder. Also found were digital scales, plastic baggies, and an ATM receipt linking Hernandez to the stash. This alarming find not only highlighted the scale of his activities but also pointed to Hernandez’s precarious situation—he confessed he was selling drugs due to financial and family struggles.

Adding more layers to the narrative, Hernandez’s past speaks volumes. With at least eight felony convictions to his name, he remains acutely aware that, as a convicted felon, he’s prohibited from possessing firearms. After serving three prison sentences, having been released most recently in January 2025 for burglary and drug possession, his current legal woes appear to be a continuation of a troubling cycle.

Judge David Kreider set Hernandez’s bail at an eye-watering $250,000, reflecting the gravity of the charges against him. But he is not alone in this grim tale—drug trafficking and firearm possession are catching the attention of law enforcement across the region.

The Broader Context: Drug Crime in Gainesville

In a separate incident earlier this year, three suspects were arrested in Gainesville during a raid on Town Creek Apartment Homes. This operation, executed by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office with support from the SWAT team, resulted in the seizure of drugs valued at approximately $39,950, including over four pounds of processed marijuana and multiple powerful narcotics—cocaine, MDMA, fentanyl, and more. Each suspect, including Jytavious Darquale Collins and Sheila Dianne Pressley, faces multiple felony charges and is currently held without bond.

These alarming developments echo a growing concern as drug-related arrests remain a significant issue in the region. A staggering 1.16 million Americans are arrested annually for drug-related offenses, with roughly 80% of prison inmates reported to have histories of drug or alcohol abuse. Moreover, drug offenses account for 26% of all arrests in the U.S., highlighting a problem that persists even amid efforts to reform drug laws.

Despite recent reductions in arrests for drug-related crimes—down by over 400,000 in 2020 as compared to 2019—Florida continues to grapple with the repercussions of substance abuse. It’s a reminder that while programs and policies may shift, the challenges surrounding addiction and trafficking are far from resolved. As Hernandez’s case unfolds and the repercussions of the Hall County raid carry forward, the community watches and waits for changes that truly address the root causes of drug crime.