Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Ellis Louis Houston, 35, was arrested early yesterday morning for domestic battery, then arrested again at 4:52 p.m. when he went back to his home, violating a no-contact order imposed as a release condition for the previous arrest.

Following his arrest just after midnight yesterday for domestic battery, Houston was released on his own recognizance by Judge Walter Green, with a requirement for day reporting. Houston was ordered to have no contact with his wife but was granted one visit to pick up his belongings while accompanied by a law enforcement officer.

At 4:27 p.m. yesterday, Houston reportedly called the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office to request that a deputy accompany him to pick up his belongings and said on the recorded call that he was at the house alone.

The deputy reported that when he arrived, Houston was walking in and out of the house, gathering his belongings. The deputy placed him under arrest for violating the no-contact order, which says in bold letters, “If the defendant goes to the home without a law enforcement officer, it is a violation of this standing no contact order.”

Post Miranda, Houston reportedly said he was given permission to be at the home by the 911 call taker, but the deputy reported that a review of the call recording showed that this was not true.

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The deputy also reported that on the way to the jail, Houston saw the deputy’s wedding band and picture of his child on his phone screen; Houston allegedly noted the deputy’s name and threatened to “look [him] up” so he could find his home and rape his wife. Houston also allegedly said he wanted the child to be raped because the deputy had only arrested him because of racism; Houston allegedly added that he would be out of jail by tomorrow, which the deputy took as a threat to harm him and his family.

Houston was charged with violating the standing no-contact order.

Houston has a juvenile criminal history, 20 adult felony convictions (one violent), and 13 misdemeanor convictions (none violent). He has served five state prison sentences, with his most recent release in July 2022. Houston was arrested in October 2022 for grand theft of a vehicle, three counts of lewd and lascivious behavior against a victim between the ages of 12 and 16, and two counts of battery; all the charges were later dropped. The arrest report for yesterday’s domestic battery charge noted that deputies have responded to Houston’s residence seven times since May 2023 for domestic disturbances.

Judge Green set bail at $5,000.

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.