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ARCHER – A 38-year-old Archer man was arrested Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, after authorities say he touched a woman inappropriately in January and later threatened to kill her and her immediate family with a gun if she reported the incident.

Earnest O. Daniels III is also facing a sworn complaint for driving under the influence from November 2025 and a separate allegation involving lewd and lascivious behavior with a victim under the age of 12, according to the release.

An Alachua County Sheriff’s deputy reported that the alleged incident occurred Jan. 24, when the victim was at Daniels’ residence with him and another person.

The victim told investigators that Daniels made comments that made her uncomfortable and touched her in inappropriate ways. She said she moved away from him, but he followed her, repeatedly saying he wanted her.

She said she told Daniels his behavior was wrong and warned that their mutual family members would find out. Daniels reportedly insisted no one would know.

According to the report, when the victim said others would find out, Daniels became angry and threatened violence.

The victim said Daniels told her that if she told anyone, he would shoot at her home in an attempt to harm her and her immediate family.

A witness reportedly told the deputy that Daniels has an old, rusted pump-action shotgun that is difficult to load. The witness said he did not believe Daniels intended to harm anyone but likely made the threat to intimidate the victim into silence.

Authorities said Daniels was warned by a family member that a deputy was speaking with the victim, and he left his residence at that time. He was not located until Feb. 8.

After being advised of his Miranda rights, Daniels declined to speak with the deputy, according to the report.

Daniels has been charged with battery with a previous battery conviction and threatening a witness in an attempt to get the witness to withhold testimony.

The release states that Daniels has five misdemeanor convictions, four of which were violent. He is also facing a DUI charge stemming from November 2025.

In addition, a sworn complaint filed in December alleges two counts of lewd and lascivious behavior involving a victim under the age of 12. Authorities said no further information is currently available about that case, and Daniels has not been booked or arrested on those allegations.

Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $150,000.

Charges are allegations, and the case remains pending in court.

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Email cwalker@

alachuatoday.com

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