Former Braden River football player Demetrius Lawson arrested

A former Braden River High football player was arrested for a second time in less than seven months, and this time he is facing weapons charges.

Demetrius Lawson, 19, was arrested Thursday in the 1600 block of 3rd Street West in Bradenton and charged with fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a concealed weapon and reckless driving.

He was released from the Manatee County jail on Friday on bonds totaling $9,620.

Bradenton police initially attempted to pull over Lawson when he was spotted driving without his seatbelt, according to an arrest report. Lawson and his passenger could be seen moving in the car as if they were trying to hide something under their seats or in the center counsel, detectives reported observing.

Instead of stopping, Lawson took police on a high-speed pursuit popping both left tires and nearly running over a pedestrian that was walking along a sidewalk.

After chasing Lawson to the City Walk Apartments, located at 2019 Fifth Street West, officers arrested Lawson and a search of the vehicle was completed to discover a Glock .45 firearm under the driver seat. Lawson told police that he fled because last time he was pulled over he had been arrested, according to the report, and admitted to almost hitting a pedestrian.

When asked about the Glock that was found under his seat, however, Lawson refused to answer.

In April, Lawson was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia. Lawson was already out on bonds totaling $2,000 in this case.

Just last month, the case was transferred into the Drug Court program. He is next scheduled to appear in Drug Court at 10 a.m. Nov. 9.

Lawson could face more charges for violating any conditions of the program.

The teen had a breakout junior season with Braden River in 2015. Playing in the Pirates’ secondary, he tallied seven interceptions en route to leading a ball-hawking defense into the Class 7A state semifinals.

That led to some college recruitment heading into his senior season and an All-Area first team defensive selection, before injuries derailed him from playing a full season.

However, his senior season was highlighted when he, along with his father and two Braden River teammates, pushed a woman’s van stuck in a flooded street to high ground during Hurricane Hermine.

Lawson and his two teammates were later honored for their heroics during a Manatee County school board meeting.

This story was originally published October 27, 2017 at 5:15 PM with the headline "Former Braden River football player Demetrius Lawson arrested."