Traffic Stops Lead to Major Drug Trafficking Charges in Hawthorne

HAWTHORNE ‒ A Hawthorne couple face multiple felony drug charges following a series of arrests and recorded jail phone calls that allegedly linked them to a cocaine trafficking operation.

According to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, Shawanna Latisha Williams, 47, was first arrested on July 26, 2025, after deputies conducted a traffic stop for an expired tag. Although she denied consent to search her vehicle, a K-9 unit alerted to the presence of narcotics, leading deputies to search the car. The search reportedly uncovered 3.25 grams of crack cocaine, a loaded revolver, and a marijuana pipe.

Williams was charged with possession of cocaine, possession with intent to sell, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, maintaining a drug vehicle, and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was released on $67,500 bail pending trial.

However, investigators later obtained recordings of Williams’ jail phone calls to Patrick Lendell Green, 49, in which the pair allegedly discussed the seized drugs. In one call, Green reportedly asked whether deputies had found “all of it,” to which Williams replied “No.” Green allegedly went on to comment that others were now “calling to buy some” and warned that they were likely being watched.

The following month, on Aug. 20, deputies conducted another traffic stop—this time involving Green, who was driving with a suspended license. When an officer activated lights and sirens, Green allegedly fled for nearly three-quarters of a mile before being boxed in by another patrol unit. Deputies reported finding 3.22 grams of marijuana in the vehicle.

Green was charged with fleeing and eluding, possession of marijuana under 20 grams, and driving with a suspended license. His bail was set at $5,000 by Judge Susan Miller-Jones.

The investigation escalated the next day when deputies obtained a search warrant for the couple’s home—a property owned by the Alachua County Housing Authority marked with a “Zero Drug Tolerance” sign. Inside, deputies reportedly discovered 48.2 grams of cocaine, 12.8 grams of marijuana, a pressed fentanyl pill, and a razor blade with cocaine residue. The evidence was allegedly found mixed among personal items belonging to both suspects.

While in custody, Green reportedly made another phone call, asking an unknown person, “What did they find… everything?”

Following the search, Green’s charges were upgraded to include trafficking in cocaine, possession of a controlled substance, maintaining a drug dwelling, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Court records show Green has six prior felony convictions, six misdemeanors, and previously served a state prison sentence, from which he was released in 2016. Judge Jonathan Ramsey added $132,000 to Green’s previous bail amount.

A warrant for Williams’ arrest was issued on Aug. 28, and she was taken into custody on Oct. 6. She now faces additional counts of trafficking in cocaine, possession of a controlled substance, maintaining a drug dwelling, and possession of marijuana and paraphernalia. At the time of her arrest, she was on pre-trial release from the July incident.

Judge Ramsey set Williams’ bail at $210,000. Both defendants remain in custody pending further court proceedings.

#     #     #

Email cwalker@

alachuatoday.com