Gainesville man arrested for pouring gasoline on woman and trying to set her on fire
Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Troy Elwon Butler, 58, was arrested yesterday and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly trying to set a woman on fire in May.
On May 27, a Gainesville Police Department Officer responded to 404 S. Main Street and spoke with the victim, who said Butler had poured two gallons of gasoline on her and tried to set her on fire with a lighter. She said he chased her across the street, still trying to light her on fire, and he said, “I’m going to set you on fire, b**ch.” The officer reported that the victim was “clearly covered in gasoline.”
The victim had reportedly known Butler for several years and provided his name to the officer. The officer learned yesterday that Butler was in the area of 600 SW Depot Avenue and arrested him.
Butler has 12 felony convictions (one violent) and 23 misdemeanor convictions (one violent). He has served seven state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2017. Judge Susan Miller-Jones ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s Office to hold him without bail until trial.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Keep his ass in there he seem crazy
Wow
Right across the street from St Francis House. Gee, what a coincidence…
Real piece of 💩
Back to prison u
Back to prison u go!!! Good riddance!!!
I was listening to the police scanner when they responded to this. I can’t believe it took them THIS LONG to find him! He tried to set someone on fire! I understand that GPD is stretched thin and working with what they got, but dang!
Thank our city manager who helped defund the police department.
Typical right wing answer. It has nothing to do with city manager or defunding police. They arrested him all those times..it is the DOC that releases him. Once sentenced he is under DOC. Try and educate yourself before commenting
He’s being held during the hot summer months, so he won’t escape up north to a Blue state.
“ Butler has 12 felony convictions (one violent) and 23 misdemeanor convictions (one violent). He has served seven state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2017. Judge Susan Miller-Jones ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s Office to hold him without bail until trial.”S👺P👹L👿C💩
Man you come on here everyday with the same mess you don’t like here leave yiu won’t be missed
Given his background he should not be walking the streets. With as many convictions he should be in cage forever.
This is attempted murder! Prison for life! He is a DANGER to law abiding citizens!
Wow! This guy uses gasoline and the next article has a women who threatens to cut someone with broken glass. Looks like that gun buy back program is really working?
I lean left, but for this guy, I’d have no problem throwing the switch. Would also vote to fence off the whole SE section.The darker side of town is a snake pit.
Why was this man out of prison to begin with? With 12 felony and 23 misdemeanors who let this man loose to prey on the public? At what point to we put the public’s rights ahead of the criminals? Obviously not in this case. This is just flat out disgusting and a glaring indictment of our court system. They protect the criminals not the public.
Another uninformed comment… The short answer is he is the guest of the DOC.. They are ones who release convicts. Stop reading “truth social”, it is anything but
Wonder if the city would consider hiring him to light some fires to help clean up downtown areas?
DEI hire, trash removed – win, win.
the girl he tried to burn is a drug offender
And your point is ???
that girl probably screwed him over she buys and sells and uses drugs she is also a sninch on people and anther goodwill ambassador
Sounds like you know her personally. Be that as it may, you can’t pour gas on someone.
have a friend who knos her
That’s my dad, and this man has battled a drug addiction for over 40 years. And the woman (victim) no, he has been doing drugs with my dad for years, did she deserve it no, however what the news doesn’t tell you is that that lady stole 10 thousand dollars from my dad, and he wanted his money back. My dad is no saint, but he would try to kill anyone! He’s not that kind of man! But I love my dad and always will. At least he’s safe now, and I don’t have to get a phone call that he’s dead!
Sierra, I don’t know you but I know your dad Since about 2017. We’ve worked many labor jobs together and I really couldn’t ask for much of a better friend. I was really going through it myself with drugs and he’s one of the people that actually helped me to stay clean for a while. I know the drug addiction thing very well and I’m not perfect at it now but I’ll tell you this Jesus has set me free from it. I may use a few times a year now compared to a disaster of a life in about 2017. This man has encouraged me, prayed for me, Loaned me money when I was broke and lost my telephone three times in a row you belong to me money to buy a new one. I don’t know his seven prior convictions, and I certainly don’t judge him on them because he has paid his time for those crimes. I don’t know the exact details but I do know that this person stole several thousand dollars from him when he was really trying to help her. I’m gonna admit, my friend was not on the Straight and Narrow at the time, but most of us rarely venture on that path. I have never known this man to do anything to help people unless he was really provoked. I believe in the name of Jesus and I know this man knows that name as well Because we’ve had several conversations about him and I see Troy reflecting Jesus actions Much more than many other people around me. I’d be real careful about that accusations and judgment. Only God knows this man’s heart But I argue that if he wanted to hurt her, he would have. He may have pretended to chase her to set her on fire, but I seriously doubt he was ever intending to do that. Most likely he was trying to scare the dumbass into being a better person. Troy I bless you, brother, and I speak the name of Jesus over you and your case and situation. I don’t have to tell you about his power because you told me. Just remember my friend everything is temporary. Including this entire world. Be strong, my friend. I’ll try to see You soon or drop some money on your books. I don’t know if you’ll get a chance to read this in there, but you’re in my prayers, my brother. As for the rest of you Except for Cierra. I Suggest you takeoff blinders Open the Bible. Maybe you can identify some of your own faults and get the log out of your own eye. With that being said, I Bless all of you that Red and I hope everyone discovers the name of Jesus. He’s the only real hope we have.
this is the woman that he poured ⛽ on. I stole nothing from him. he stayed in luxury because of My money..
Stop telling that lie
The man is nearly 60. He poured gasoline on her because of the monster he is and this woman could be a monster however she IS THE ONE COVERED IN FUEL AT THE HANDS OF A MONSTER THAT SHE DESERVES TO BE TO BE PROTECTED FROM. SOME USE, TRADE, AND BARTER EUPHORACY, AND DOINGS WITH DAILY AMONG THE SAME TWO IN THIS ARTICLE AND DONT THROW GASOLINE ON EACH OTHER
the best thing to do is close the store there where they all hang out
Death penalty, no appeals allowed, behind the courthouse, sell tickets for a lottery to light the match
It’s very clear he needs to NOT go back to prison but to a maximum security psych ward. I hope the victim is okay. This is so traumatizing.
most drug addicts do not have 10000 to be stole. it was her settlement that your father was riding out on. I don’t doubt the info about stealing being done. and I met him and his long term last friend when he had several years clean and admitted what drug use ruined for him. he shared with me how he could have been a long time football player likely he could be a retired pro player and he’s never let them thoughts fo. I hate that he took on a decision like this. but he did and he knows better point blank period. if ever there’s a system of justice he needs to be thrown the time in prison. he is a monster on drug and the last year and half he has done way more physical harm to folk that damn sure hasnt stole 10000 dollars from him
Once an addict always an addict. I’ve been clean and sober 15 years of crack Cocaine and can Relapsed at anytime yes Troy Butler had Relapsed and is home now trying to get his life back together. Yes he had more than 10,000 but he relapsed and Samatha Robinson took it off his card 6,000 and 4,000 she got seized from his truck and she supposed to be working for police to get it back but never complied . So stop judging people. He’s home that all that matters and going by protocol to get what can back .JUST PRAY FOR US NOT DON’T CONDEMN US