Staff Report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In the early hours of this morning, 50-year-old Ashley Galen Powers was taken into custody after allegedly preventing a woman from leaving a hotel room while police officers attempted to gain entry.

Officers from the Gainesville Police Department responded to a domestic disturbance call around 11:30 p.m. on October 8. Upon arrival, they found the hotel room door locked from the inside. The officers reportedly communicated with both Powers and the victim through the door.

The victim allegedly expressed her desire to leave the room, but Powers warned her against opening the door. As officers attempted to open it, Powers is said to have repeatedly slammed it shut and re-locked it. Officers reported hearing a “smacking noise” from within the room, which heightened their concern. Despite this, they allowed Powers additional opportunities to open the door before deciding to force entry. Powers reportedly insisted that the victim had already confirmed her well-being and claimed the officers needed a warrant to enter.

Once inside, the officers informed Powers of his rights, and he reportedly chose not to answer any questions without legal counsel present.

Powers has been charged with false imprisonment and resisting an officer without violence. He has no criminal convictions, but he was arrested in August for domestic battery on a different victim and released on $5,000 bail; he was also arrested for domestic battery in June, but those charges have been dropped. Judge Jonathan Ramsey set bail at $20,000 on the new charges.

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.