Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jonathan Edward Thomas, a 32-year-old inmate at the Alachua County Jail, is facing new charges of battery after allegedly assaulting another detainee. The alleged victim, who serves his sentence on weekends, claims the altercation occurred because he refused to bring contraband into the facility during his weekend stays.

According to an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy, surveillance footage revealed an argument between Thomas and the victim on December 26 at approximately 10:29 p.m. The video reportedly shows Thomas trailing the victim as he descended a staircase, continuing the verbal dispute, and then striking him across the face. Despite the victim’s attempt to distance himself, the confrontation persisted until detention officers intervened.

The victim reported that Thomas insulted him with a derogatory term for his refusal to smuggle illegal items into the jail during his weekend incarcerations.

After being read his Miranda rights, Thomas chose not to respond to questioning.

Thomas now faces charges of battery against a fellow inmate. His initial arrest on November 20 involved allegations of burglary and grand theft in connection with the theft of 64 cell phones from a Metro PCS store. Additional charges from a traffic stop include possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia, as well as charges of burglary, theft, and credit card fraud linked to an October 20 vehicle break-in. Thomas has a criminal record that includes five non-violent felony convictions and two non-violent misdemeanor convictions. Judge Jonathan Ramsey has increased Thomas’s bail by $25,000, raising the total to $347,000.

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.