Gainesville Man Sentenced to Community Control and Probation for Felony Domestic Violence

On April 30, 2026, Niam Rashaw Jones, 44, was convicted in two separate felony domestic violence cases and sentenced to six months of community control followed by two years of probation. 

Case 1: 

On January 5, 2025, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Jones, leading to convictions for domestic battery by strangulation, tampering, and false imprisonment. 

Deputy Adam Gargulak reported the following: 

“Both [Niam Jones and the victim] returned from church, and [the victim] requested Niam place himself on the car insurance or stop driving her car. This turned into an argument over money. [The victim] walked away from Niam and entered the kitchen to make herself a tuna sandwich. Niam walked up behind her and grabbed [the victim] by her neck and shoulder and pulled her to the ground. Niam then pulled [the victim] from the kitchen, down the hallway, and towards their bedroom. Once Niam pulled her into the bedroom, he got on top of her and began choking her with both of his hands. Niam cut off her ability to breathe. She doesn't believe she blacked out or lost consciousness. [The victim] tried to fight off Niam and left a scratch mark on his right arm. Niam continued to yell in [the victim's] face and bang her head on the bedroom wall. During the struggle, [the victim] lost a sock, and Niam tore her shirt around the neckline. [The victim's] elbow had a small darkened mark.”

Jones spent a few months in jail before posting bond in late June or early July.

Case 2:

On July 8, 2025, deputies arrested Jones again, leading to convictions for domestic battery by a repeat offender (different victim) and resisting an officer without violence. 

Deputy Corey Thomas Jr. reported the following:

“[Niam Jones] and victim are cousins and are currently living together as a family unit making this offense domestic in nature. The victim woke up to [Niam Jones] standing over top of her. [Niam Jones] was yelling and acting strange. While on the phone with law enforcement dispatch, [Niam Jones] grabbed the victims' shoulders violently shaking her telling her to look into his eyes. The victim said she was scared and wished to pursue charges. 

When attempting to detain [Niam Jones] he became irate. [Niam Jones] pulled away from deputies so he was taken to the ground. [Niam Jones] continued to resist commands and threaten to spit on us. [His] actions required deputies to restrain his legs with a ‘rip hobble’ and put a spit mask on him.”

Sentence:

On September 25, 2025, Judge David Kredier found that Jones was incompetent proceed in both cases, however, Judge Susanne Wilson Bullard found him competent to proceed the same day he took his plea deal.

Jones resolved both cases at once in a plea agreement that was negotiated between his defense and the Eighth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office and accepted by Judge Bullard. 

Jones’ probation carries a special condition requiring him to “abide by the mental health plan supervised by Meridian Behavioral Health.”  

Priors:

In 2005, Jones was convicted of domestic battery. 

In 2006, Jones was charged with battery, property damage and kidnapping, but the charges were dropped because the victim didn’t wish to prosecute, court records show.

In 2007, Jones was charged with aggravated battery, kidnapping and obstructing justice, but the charges were dropped because the victim didn’t wish to prosecute, court records show.

In 2016, Jones was convicted of domestic battery. 

In 2024, Jones was charged with battery by a repeat offender, but the charges were dropped.