Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Troy Elwon Butler, 58, was arrested yesterday and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly trying to set a woman on fire in May.

On May 27, a Gainesville Police Department Officer responded to 404 S. Main Street and spoke with the victim, who said Butler had poured two gallons of gasoline on her and tried to set her on fire with a lighter. She said he chased her across the street, still trying to light her on fire, and he said, “I’m going to set you on fire, b**ch.” The officer reported that the victim was “clearly covered in gasoline.”

The victim had reportedly known Butler for several years and provided his name to the officer. The officer learned yesterday that Butler was in the area of 600 SW Depot Avenue and arrested him.

Butler has 12 felony convictions (one violent) and 23 misdemeanor convictions (one violent). He has served seven state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2017. Judge Susan Miller-Jones ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s Office to hold him without bail until trial.

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.