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Friday, March 29, 2024

Man released in April after 2.5-year jail stint arrested on second battery charge

A 39-year-old Ocala man who was released from jail in April after two and a half years behind bars, is facing his second battery charge.

A Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a residence in northwest Ocala regarding an alleged battery on Sunday, September 12. 

According to the deputy’s report, a victim says he was threatened and shoved by John Willie Edwards after a verbal altercation turned physical. 

Ocala man released after 2.5 year jail stint arrested on second battery charge
John Willie Edwards

A witness who lives in the residence says she heard the altercation and intervened after she saw the victim on the ground in front of Edwards. The witness says she stood between the two to “prevent further violence,” according to the report.

The victim made a sworn statement indicating that if it weren’t for the witness, he believes Edwards would have further attacked him. 

When a deputy tried to question Edwards about the incident, Edwards repeatedly yelled and was verbally confrontational, according to the report. 

Edwards has been arrested a half-dozen times in the past decade. In October 2018, he was arrested and convicted on multiple drug charges. He spent two and a half years in jail and was released in April, 2021.

Edwards was arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail. His next court date is scheduled for Tuesday, October 12, according to jail records.