Timothy Williams sentenced to 40 years in prison for 2015 kidnapping and sexual battery

A Gulf County man will likely spend the rest of his life in prison after pleading guilty to kidnapping and sexual battery.

The office of State Attorney Glenn Hess said that 51 year old Timothy Williams will be spending the next 40 years in prison. 

The charges stemmed from William's actions on December 8th, 2015, when Williams kidnapped and sexually battered a store clerk in Port St Joe.

Williams was arrested after the victim's daughter reported a text from her mother claiming she was being held against her will at gunpoint.

There was enough information in the message for deputies to find William’s home, locate the victim and quickly make an arrest.

Investigators said the victim had offered Williams a ride to Port St. Joe.

While returning to Wewahitchka, Williams solicited the victim for sex.

When the victim refused, Williams forced her into a wooded area at gunpoint and sexually battered her.

He later tied her hands with zip ties and forced her to go to his home where he continued to hold her against her will.

Williams had just finished serving a 10 year prison sentence for a prior sex offense and was out of prison for only 33 days before committing his latest crimes.

Judge John Fishel accepted William’s plea to Kidnapping and Sexual Battery on Wednesday in Gulf County and sentenced Williams to 40 years prison on each charge, as well as on a probation violation.

Assistant State Attorney Bob Sombathy said “Due to this defendant’s age, the forty year sentence will most likely amount to a life sentence for this defendant.  It was the only way to keep the community safe from a man like Timothy Williams.”

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