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Left: William Wells (Volusia County Jail). Right: Toronita Park in Port Orange, Florida, where Wells allegedly assaulted a wedding officiant (Volusia County).
A Florida man, frustrated by the cost of a beach wedding ceremony, allegedly attacked a 69-year-old wedding officiant, authorities reported.
William Wells, 35, faces charges for battery against a person aged 65 or older. According to an arrest affidavit reviewed by Law&Crime, the incident occurred at around 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. After conducting a wedding ceremony at Toronita Park in Port Orange, the officiant and his assistant were packing up their equipment when Wells approached them.
Wells questioned them about the ceremony’s cost and became agitated, arguing that the wedding should have cost $500, according to the police report. He allegedly called the officiant “rude” and began hurling insults. As the officiant attempted to call 911 on his cellphone, Wells reportedly started swatting at him.
One of the blows struck the officiant’s stomach, leaving him momentarily breathless, as detailed in the affidavit. Wells then allegedly threatened to summon his friends, claiming they would arrive before the authorities and intended to “get him.”
After continuing to shout and curse at the officiant, Wells left the scene in a blue Kia. Deputies from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office later located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop.
Post-Miranda, Wells admitted to arguing with the officiant, but denied assaulting him, according to the complaint. Wells told deputies he became upset because the victim was recording him and his car. At one point, deputies had to tell Wells to “calm down as he was getting excited in an aggravated state,” deputies wrote.
The affidavit did not specify how Wells was associated with the wedding.
Cops noted that the defendant had been arrested and convicted multiple times for other assaults. He also was arrested for fleeing and eluding, along with drug-related charges, according to cops.
Wells was arrested and taken to the Volusia County Jail, where he has since posted a $5,000 bond. He has a court date set for June 16.