Man on probation arrested for fleeing traffic stop

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – James Clyde Williams, III, 36, was arrested early this morning after allegedly fleeing a traffic stop; he was also charged with possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, driving without a valid license, and resisting an officer without violence.

At about 12:07 a.m. on September 14, a Gainesville Police Department Officer was responding to a call about a battery in a vehicle in the 1700 block of SE 13th Place when he saw a sedan traveling westbound in the 1200 block of SE 13th Place; the sedan turned north on SE 17th Drive. The officer reported that the car’s headlights were not on and the vehicle was being driven erratically, so he attempted a traffic stop.

The vehicle reportedly drove onto the curb and onto the grass in an apparent attempt to drive around the officer’s patrol vehicle. As the vehicle passed the officer, the officer reported that he made eye contact with the driver, who was later identified as Williams. As the vehicle passed, it abruptly went into Park.

As the officer approached the vehicle, he reportedly heard a loud thump and saw the vehicle rock sideways. He reportedly found Williams in the back seat, and Williams allegedly refused commands to unlock the door and get out of the vehicle. The front seat passenger reportedly unlocked the door, and when Williams allegedly still refused to get out of the vehicle, he was physically removed and detained.

A search incident to arrest reportedly produced about 2 grams of marijuana.

The passenger reportedly said the patrol vehicle’s lights were “obvious,” but Williams said he was not going to stop. She said that after he drove onto the curb to go around the patrol vehicle, she forced the vehicle into Park.

Post Miranda, Williams reportedly said he did not see the patrol vehicle’s lights and denied leaving the roadway to flee from the officer. He also reportedly denied he was ever driving the vehicle.

The officer reported that Williams does not have a valid driver’s license. In addition to the criminal charges, Williams was cited for driving without headlights.

Williams has 14 felony convictions (three violent) and 11 misdemeanor convictions (none violent). On July 1, 2024, he was sentenced to one year of probation after entering a plea of nolo contendere to driving without a valid license. Judge Kristine Van Vorst ordered him held without bail.

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.