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JONESVILLE ‒ A Jonesville man was arrested Tuesday after deputies said he confronted a crew of internet contractors outside his home while holding a handgun and shouting at them to leave.

According to an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, 43-year-old Drew Thomas Worthmann returned to his residence around 11:50 a.m. on Sept. 16, 2025, and found two workers with IQ Fiber installing fiber-optic cable.

The report stated that Worthmann became hostile during the encounter, arguing with the workers and other crew members on scene. After briefly going inside his home, he allegedly returned outside with a gun in his hand and continued yelling at the men to leave the front of his property. Deputies wrote that the workers retreated in fear of being shot and called law enforcement once they left the immediate area.

Witnesses at the scene confirmed the workers’ account, according to the arrest report.

According to the arrest report, the company was hired by the Town of Tioga Director of Development to install fiber-optic cable in the neighborhood.

However, Director of Development Luis Diaz said the arrest report is incorrect: “IQ Fiber has been installing internet fiber all over Alachua County as a utility company, and they have access to all Utility Easements and Rights-of-Way in Alachua County. They did proactively consult with us prior to coming as to how to minimize the impact of their work in our community.”

Deputies arrested Worthmann on two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. After being advised of his rights, Worthmann declined to make a statement without an attorney present. He was booked into the Alachua County Jail without incident.

Worthmann has no prior criminal history. Judge David Kreider initially ordered him held without bail while the State Attorney’s Office sought continued detention until trial. On Sept. 19, his attorney, Caleb Kenyon, filed a motion seeking bond, noting that prosecutors had agreed to conditions of pre-trial release.

Under the agreement, bond was set at $20,000, or $10,000 per charge. Worthmann is prohibited from possessing firearms or weapons and must have no contact with the workers involved or any other IQ Fiber employees. He may remain on his property during future utility work but cannot directly or indirectly interact with company personnel.

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Email cwalker@

alachuatoday.com

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