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Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a troubling incident near a local homeless encampment, James Aaron Olin, 28, and Sandy Ray Wilson, 52, found themselves in police custody following an alarming confrontation. The altercation unfolded yesterday afternoon when Wilson allegedly threatened a woman with dismemberment while Olin menacingly stood by, brandishing a knife.
The events began around 2:30 p.m. when deputies from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a wooded area situated just west of Moe’s Southwest Grill on Newberry Road. According to the victims, the encounter started innocuously enough as they strolled along the sidewalk approaching the woods’ entrance. It was there that they crossed paths with Wilson, who began shouting at them about previous disputes.
Initially, the situation seemed to diffuse as the victims continued to their campsite, passing Olin along the way. At that moment, Olin reportedly did not display any hostility toward them.
However, the calm was short-lived. Once the victims reached their camp, the tranquility shattered with the sound of raised voices. Wilson and Olin were advancing toward them, with Wilson wielding a large machete and making violent threats to dismember the female victim. Behind him, Olin stood as an intimidating presence, holding a substantial curved knife.
The victims said they felt they were in immediate danger and called the police; the male victim grabbed a small axe, but when Olin and Wilson realized the female victim was on the phone with the police, they quickly left.
Deputies found Olin and Wilson at a nearby gas station, based on descriptions provided by the victims.
Post Miranda, Olin reportedly said he and Wilson went to the victims’ camp because Wilson was mad about a previous incident between him and the female victim. He reportedly admitted to having a curved knife, and he said Wilson had a piece of wood, not a machete.
Post Miranda, Wilson reportedly declined to speak with deputies.
Olin has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He has one felony conviction (non-violent) and six misdemeanor convictions (two violent) and is currently on probation for drug possession. Judge Jonathan Ramsey set bail at $15,000.
Wilson has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He has one felony conviction (violent) and has an active warrant out of Duval County for misrepresenting himself as a licensed contractor. He has served two state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2014. Judge Jonathan Ramsey set bail at $10,000.
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.