Press Release: ACSO Arrests 2 for Crimes Against Child
Photo from ACSO Press Release | Ashley Creel on left and Jonathan Williams (on right)
Press Release by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office:
During the late evening hours of April 14, 2025, deputies responded to SE 215th Ter in Hawthorne to conduct a well-being check on 36-year-old Ashley Creel due to concern for her mental well-being. When law enforcement arrived, they learned that Creel witnessed her husband, 39-year-old Jonathan Williams, and a juvenile victim, engaged in sexual activity earlier in the day.
The juvenile victim was interviewed and disclosed that they were sexually abused by Williams multiple times over the last several months.
Williams was located by deputies the same day and arrested on an unrelated civil writ. After being interviewed by Detective M. Adkins about the incident, Williams was charged with two counts of sexual battery by a custodian and one count of lewd or lascivious molestation. Williams’ cell phone was also seized.
An examination of Williams' cellphone revealed messages between Williams and Creel which revealed that Creel witnessed the sexual assault occurring and did not report the abuse to law enforcement until approximately 21 hours after the assault occurred. The only reason it was reported was because of the call for service to conduct a well-being check on Creel and her responses to questions asked by the responding deputy.
On May 19, 2025, Det. Adkins learned Williams and Creel attended the juvenile victim’s sporting event on April 14th, after the witnessed incident took place. Creel left the event early, leaving the victim alone and in care of Williams, aware he had previously sexually assaulted the juvenile.
Creel was arrested on May 20th and charged with child neglect without great bodily harm and failure to report suspected child abuse.
