Lawtey Man Arrested for False Imprisonment in Gainesville
Donald Brett Newman, 40, was arrested early Monday morning and charged with false imprisonment.
While Newman was driving a truck with the victim in the passenger seat, they got into an argument that turned physical. The victim called 911, and dispatchers could hear her telling Newman to let her out of the vehicle 26 times, but he refused.
Newman’s arrest report states he resides in Lawtey, in Bradford County; however, he has a long history of criminal allegations in Alachua County.
On February 4, 2014, Newman was arrested in Gainesville and charged with domestic battery and false imprisonment. The arrest report states Newman struck the victim while she was holding a baby. Newman allegedly locked the door to prevent the victim from leaving, took her baby, and began striking her while holding her baby. The victim was able to get her child back, and Newman fled the scene. A few weeks after Newman’s arrest, then-State Attorney William Cervone reported that the victim was “unwilling to cooperate” and dropped the charges.
On March 31, 2014, Newman was arrested and charged with resisting an officer without violence. Gainesville Police Department (GPD) Officer Tony Ferro responded to a 911 call where a woman was screaming for help. Newman reportedly ran when Ferro arrived at the scene. Newman told Ferro that “he ran because he was scared and suffers from anxiety.” Newman was found guilty in this case.
In June, 2016, Newman was arrested in Alachua County after reportedly throwing hot sauce at a victim and chasing her by car. The charges were dropped. A few months later, he was charged via sworn complaint for pushing another victim to the ground, but the charges were dropped because she reportedly didn’t wish to prosecute.
Newman is currently held in the Alachua County Jail on a $15,000 bond.
