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.

Image courtesy of Sarasota Police

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.

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.