Sarasota man on probation arrested on drug, other charges

A man on probation is now facing six new felony charges and a misdemeanor following his arrest earlier this week in Sarasota, police said on Friday.

Demarius R. Jones, 35, was taken into custody Monday at a home on 31st Way in the city during a search of the home. Sarasota Police said a search warrant of the property was issued based on information supplied by probation officers from the Florida Department of Corrections.

Image courtesy of Sarasota Police

Among the items found at the home, police reported:

• 3 ounces of fentanyl (90 grams);
• About an ounce of cocaine;
• About 1.3 ounces of marijuana (39 grams);
• Clear plastic bags, straws and two digital scales with white powder residue;
• $10,000 in cash;
• A  .223 caliber rifle bullet.

Jones was charged with:

• Trafficking in fentanyl 4 grams or more;
• Possession of cocaine with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a church;
• Possession of controlled substances (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine);
• Possession of controlled substance (hydromorphone);
• Possession of marijuana less than 20 grams;
• Possession of ammunition by Florida convicted felon;
• Possession of drug paraphernalia

According to an arrest affidavit, a parole officer during a routine check-in with Jones found text messages indicating potential narcotics sales. A follow-up warrantless search by the parole officer located possible illegal drugs in view, at which point Sarasota Police were notified.

From there, a search warrant was obtained and police officers recovered evidence with which to charge Jones.

Court records indicate Jones was convicted in 2025 of driving with a suspended license and fleeing a law enforcement officer with lights and siren and five drug-related felony cases.

In Manatee County, he had been convicted on a 2024 charge of driving while license revoked as a habitual traffic offender and fleeing a law enforcement officer.