Man Arrested Years After Failing to Appear in Unsafe Firearm Storage Case

Joseph B. Gadson, 45, has been arrested over three years after failing to appear in court for a count of unsafe storage of a firearm, a second-degree misdemeanor. 

On February 21, 2022, the Gainesville Police Department charged Gadson with a felony count of child neglect, which prosecutors later declined to pursue in favor of the lesser charge. 

Det. Pablo Figueroa reported the following: 

“Gadson has been staying at the witness’ residence for the past 4 days. According to the witness, Gadson has been using his daughter's room to sleep. Gadson possessed a pistol Sig Sauer brand, model P365, with serial number 66A976994 for self-protection. Gadson wrapped the pistol with sheets and used it as a pillow. 

Today, Gadson and the witness were at the residence while the victim and his cousin were playing around the residence. Gadson, while in the dining room, did not place the pistol in a safe location, away from the victim's reach. The victim entered Gadson's room and had access to Gadson's pistol which was wrapped in sheets over the bed. The victim accidentally discharged the pistol, causing a minor injury (bruise) on the left side of his face.

Post-Miranda Gadson invoked his right to have a legal counselor present. Gadson does not possess a concealed weapons permit.

After the victim received a medical evaluation/treatment from UF Shands staff, he was transported to his mother's residence located in Ocala, Florida.”

In April 2023, a judge issued a warrant for Gadson’s arrest after he failed to appear for a pretrial conference. The warrant was served on Tuesday, over three years later. 

Gadson has no prior criminal history, court records show. If found guilty, his maximum jail sentence would be 60 days. His bond is set at $1,000.  

Editor’s Notes: The text from the police report contains some grammatical edits for smoother readability