Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Steven Johnathan Wilson, 34, was arrested yesterday morning after allegedly punching and choking a hotel employee who asked him to leave the premises.

At about 9:36 a.m. yesterday, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to a call about a battery at the Baymont Inn at 6901 NW 4th Boulevard. The victim, a hotel employee, reportedly said that he had asked Wilson to leave the premises at about 9:20 a.m. because he was sleeping next to the building. Instead of leaving, the victim said, Wilson got up, went inside the hotel, and started making himself a waffle.

The victim said that when he again asked Wilson to leave, Wilson choked him and punched him multiple times. The deputy reported that surveillance video from the hotel clearly showed Wilson choking and punching the victim.

Wilson allegedly had two IDs in his possession when he was arrested, and both showed other people’s names.

Wilson, who is described as homeless in court documents, has been charged with felony battery and two counts of possession of other people’s identification cards. He has six felony convictions (one violent) and 11 misdemeanor convictions (none violent). He has served three state prison sentences and was last released in February 2023. He was arrested in Alachua County in September 2023 for burglary, battery, and robbery, but the charges were later dropped. Judge George Wright set bail at $15,000.

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.