Public Relations Student Faces Felony Dating Violence Charges

A University of Florida (UF) public relations student appears to have terrible communication skills, as he is currently facing felony dating violence charges.

Gainesville Police Department officers arrested Samuel Russell Walkons, 21, Thursday afternoon and charged him with false imprisonment and domestic battery by strangulation.

According to the arrest report, Walkons and the victim were at a party the night prior to his arrest when he got drunk and began treating her poorly. The victim wanted to leave, and Walkons called them an Uber.

At Walkon’s apartment building, he got into an argument with the victim, and she decided to leave.

Instead of allowing the victim to exit, Walkons reportedly told her she was “not leaving” and “not going anywhere” before shoving and blocking her from entering an elevator.

In fear Walkons would harm her further, she went inside his apartment with him. The victim began texting her friend, and Walkons reportedly tried to take her phone, grabbing her by the arms and pushing her around.

The arrest report states the victim continued attempting to escape, and Walkons continued to physically stop her, culminating in him taking her to the first floor of the apartment and placing her in a chokehold after she yelled for help, impeding her ability to breathe. Soon after, the victim ran up the stairs and Walkons reportedly blocked her again.

Walkons only stopped when people were walking nearby, and the victim told him she’d yell for help again.

The victim went to the apartment of the friend she was previously texting because she was afraid Walkons would follow her. After arriving, she got a text from her roommate stating Walkons was in her room while drunk and declining to leave. The victim texted Walkons to leave, but he did not.

The victim called Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to evaluate Walkons. EMS contacted Walkons in the victim’s room, and he declined to be transported to a medical facility but did agree to leave.

Police observed visible injuries on the victim.

Walkons reportedly told police that he blocked the victim from leaving so "they could fix their problems."

Walkons reportedly confessed to putting the victim in a headlock after police confronted him with a text message he sent her where he admitted to the attack.

On his LinkedIn profile, Walkons states he turns “ideas into impact,” claiming the “hustle” taught him the power of “clear communication.”

According to his LinkedIn, Walkons is an operator at Orlando Watersports Complex and a salesman at Keeping You Dry Roofing. Walkons also owns Ultimate Pressure Washing.

Walkons was released from the Alachua County Jail after posting a $25,000 bond, court records show.

Under the conditions of his release, Walkons cannot contact the victim or possess firearms, and he must abstain from drugs and alcohol.

It's unclear if Walkons will remain a public relations student because he has been trespassed from UF for three years.