ORLANDO, Fla. – A prominent figure within Orlando’s indie music community, known affectionately as “Uncle Lou,” is currently being held at the Orange County Jail. Cleon Williams, 62, was detained two days ago due to an immigration hold, and remains in custody as of Monday.
Congressman Maxwell Frost (D-10) expressed Williams’ desire to return home, stating, “He just wants to get back there,” after visiting Williams with a group from the U.S. House Oversight Committee.
Frost noted that during his conversation with Williams, the latter conveyed a heartfelt message for the community. “He told me to give a message to the community that he loves everybody,” Frost relayed. “He wants to get back to continuing to help with the art and culture in central Florida.”
Williams, originally from Jamaica, has been a vital part of the local arts scene as the proprietor of Uncle Lou’s Entertainment Hall, a staple on Mills Avenue for nearly 20 years.
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Williams, who is from Jamaica, is the owner of Uncle Lou’s Entertainment Hall, which has been on Mills Avenue for about two decades.
“It truly is more of an incubator space than it is a bar,” said Scott White, who owns a tattoo shop across the street and has performed with his band at Uncle Lou’s. “He’s given a voice to a lot of other people who otherwise couldn’t afford to have a voice to rent venues and do things.”
News 6 learned Monday that Williams was detained during an operation conducted by the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT).
Orlando Police said its officers assisted ABT in the operation regarding possible alcohol ordinance violations at Uncle Lou’s and at a bar next door.
“As part of the operation, ABT undercover agents conducted investigative purchases and inspections at both establishments,” OPD’s statement read, in part.
OPD said one person was arrested during the operation and taken to the Orange County Jail, where an immigration detainer was placed on him by ICE due to an expired visa.
News 6 reached out to ICE on Monday to try to get more information about Williams’ hold. A spokesperson responded in an email, asking for more information about Williams. He did not, however, respond to a subsequent email from News 6.
“If there’s been some kind of license infraction, let’s handle that,” said Susan Oswald. “We don’t get rid of Uncle Lou.”
News 6’s Mike Valente encountered Susan and Jeff Oswald on Monday as they approached the bar to admire the signs of support people have taped on the front of the building.
“He’s a friendly guy,” Jeff said. “He will let anybody take a shot, no matter what your talent level is.”
Frost said that as of Monday afternoon, Williams had retained a lawyer.
News 6 has combed through the websites of the Orange County Clerk of Court and the Orange County Jail, but we have not been able to locate any criminal charges associated with Williams’ current detainment.
