SNEADS, Fla. (WDNews)- The Sneads Police Department initiated an investigation in early February 2025 after receiving information that a registered sex offender, Jimmie Ray Williams, was working in Sneads without registering his employment with local authorities, as required by Florida law. During the investigation, officers determined that Williams had also been residing in Sneads since Feb. 1 without reporting his change of address, another violation of registration requirements.
Surveillance was conducted on his residence, confirming that he was living there. On the evening of Feb. 23, 2025, officers took Williams into custody at his home without incident.
Williams has a prior history of failing to comply with sex offender registration laws. In 2010, he was charged with the same offense after absconding from registration in Georgia and relocating to Jackson County.
The Town of Sneads has enacted enhanced residential restrictions for sex offenders, increasing the required distance they must maintain from areas where children congregate from 1,000 feet to 2,500 feet. This ordinance is intended to enhance public safety and protect vulnerable members of the community.
Williams was booked into the Jackson County Correctional Facility, where he awaits his first court appearance.
