JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — With less than a week before election day, safety at polling sites has become top of mind for many people. 18-year-old Caleb Williams was arrested Tuesday night in Neptune Beach, after police said he threatened two women with a machete outside of the early voting site at the Beaches Branch library.
On Wednesday there did not appear to be any increased security presence at the library; that's the same day that Williams appeared before a judge.
Williams appeared before Judge Mose Floyd the day after police provided a picture of him holding a machete above his head outside of the Beach Branch library in Neptune Beach. According to Williams' arrest report the police said the two women were afraid of being injured when Williams approached them with the machete raised above his head in an intimidating manner.
First Coast News Crime & Safety Expert Ken Jefferson said Williams' actions go beyond free speech.
"Free speech crosses the line when it goes beyond speech," said Jefferson, "when you are speaking freely and incorporating a weapon or incorporate a threat of some sort, that's when you've crossed the line, now it's criminal speech and criminal behavior."
Williams was charged with a 2nd degree felony for aggravated assault as well as a misdemeanor for exhibiting a weapon in public. He is now facing additional charges based of of received new video footage, which NBCPD says "depicts (Williams) committing an additional crime of voter intimidation or suppression within the designated voting location."
Veronika McDougald was one of a steady stream of people who voted early at the Supervisor of Elections office in downtown Jacksonville on Wednesday and said she heard about Tuesday's incident in Neptune Beach.
"I work here downtown and I did feel more comfortable getting up from my desk, walking down here because it's centralized," said McDougald, "It's open to everyone, it's in a centralized location downtown so I did feel more safe coming down here."
Jacinth Lyle chose to vote early with a small group of people at the Supervisor of Elections office.
"With this being an emotionally charged election it's important to come out early because Tuesday there's going to be a clamor, people are going to be rushing to vote, it's best to do it early," said Lyle.
Judge Floyd set the bond for Williams at $55,000 with added stipulations.
"You'll be outfitted with a GPS monitor and not to go within 1,000 feet of a polling place unless it's for the specific purpose of casting a vote," said Judge Floyd during Williams' court appearance.
On Tuesday night Neptune Beach Chief of Police Michael Kay said that Williams was part of a group of 8 teenagers but his were the only actions that rose to criminal activity.
"The group was there for no other reason but for ill intentions and to cause a disturbance," said Chief Kay, "this is not an issue of first amendment rights but to cause a ruckus.”
Williams is due back in court on November 20.
Early voting in Duval County continues through Sunday and Election Day for the General Election is Tuesday November 5th. More information about early voting in Duval County can be found here: https://www.duvalelections.com/General-Information/Learn-About-Elections/About-Early-Voting