What started for William Closson as an allegation of a domestic assault, a misdemeanor, ended Wednesday evening with three felony counts, including battery on a law enforcement officer and threats against a public servant: he repeatedly and offensively threatened to track down and kill Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy Jacob West after allegedly twice kicking him. Threatening a public servant is a second-degree felony. Striking a law enforcement officer is a third-degree felony.
Closson, 46, is a resident of 2 Postman Lane in Palm Coast. His wife told a deputy that he’d been drinking all day Wednesday and things had gotten out of control. While in the kitchen she said he threatened to “pull a knife out of drawer and stab her because he thought she was going to hide his alcohol,” according to his arrest report. He also threatened to “slit [his wife’s] throat and punch her,” and told her to “hide his gun from him or else they would have a good time tonight.”
William never did in fact arm himself with a knife or any other weapon, his wife said, but she told deputies that she was in fear when she was threatened by his statements.
When a deputy first arrived at the scene just after 8 p.m. he made contact with another resident at the house, a 70-year-old woman, who had called 911. She was upset and nervous as she began to describe the incident. She would later allege that William taunted her, called her names and threatened to break down her door. As a deputy was taking her account, Closson walked out of the house yelling, according to his arrest report.
Since a knife had been mentioned before deputies’ arrival, and for their safety, Jacob began giving verbal commands to William not to go back into the house. Jacob identified himself. “William continued to advance towards the front door and opened the storm door and attempted to open the main door,” according to the report. “As William did this, he stated to Deputy Jacob, ‘if you touch me I will fuck your face.’”
Jacob took control of William by holding his wrists and placing his arms behind his back. William tensed up, according to the report, and “Jacob was forced to use more strength to keep William still as I placed him in handcuffs,” deputy Omar Ocampo, a recent recruit to the agency, wrote in his report. He continued: “Deputy Jacob then directed me to bring my patrol vehicle closer to the residence to secure William in the vehicle. Deputy Jacob gave William verbal commands to sit down in the grass due to him being uncooperative while being patted down for officer safety. William refused to sit down after he was told to do so several times. At this time Deputy Jacob escorted William to the ground.” The terms “escort to the ground” actually mean forcibly pushing an individual to the ground and restraining him.
“While Deputy Jacob patted down William for weapons, William kicked Deputy Jacob in his left leg,” the report continued, and did so again after being warned against it. He was placed under arrest. It took a while to get him into the patrol vehicle as he allegedly refused to get in.
Closson does not have a previous record in Flagler. He’s owned the Postman Lane home since 2013. In addition to his felony charges, he was charged with assault/domestic violence.
Since William was drunk, he was taken to Florida Hospital Flagler for medical clearance. “While in the emergency room,” the report states, “William began making threats to Deputy Jacob about making him disappear so no one would ever find him if William ever saw Deputy Jacob again. Deputy Jacob advised William if he was threatening him or his family that he would be charged. William then looked directly at Deputy Jacob again and stated, ‘wait until I get out, I’m going to find you and fuck you up Jacob.’”
Once William was taken to the county jail correctional deputies asked him to exit the vehicle. William “banged his head on the patrol car partition and demanded to know Deputy Jacob’s name several times even though he was already advised multiple times,” the report states. “William then stated, ‘I can’t wait to kill that motherfucker.’”
He was booked in at 10 p.m. A little after 11 a.m. this morning, he posted bail on his $8,000 bond.
Just the truth says
WALKING TIME BOMB. His wife is probably abused constantly.
Bc. says
Another class act from palm coast.
Really says
Give him some herb snd calm him down. Some folks just shouldnt drink.Merry Christmas no mind
Stretchem says
Flagler Hospital? Whatever happened to the good ole drunk tank with the other gladiators?
ASF says
I hope the hospital did a full TOX screen, in case he had more than just alcohol on board.
Veteran says
The wonderful, family friendly P section.
Linze says
Way to go ,let him out for $8,000 bail to do what ever he wants
Violet says
Wow, after those threats, he shouldn’t be allowed out at all!!! What is he, another gangster in the Witness Protection Program?! An idiot who shouldn’t be allowed to be out and walking around!!
hawkeye says
Too bad the deputy didn’t give him the beating he deserved,sometimes a little pain is a great attitude adjuster.
Jenn says
If under the influence they have to go to the hospital to be medically cleared before being taken to the jail. He should I have not had any bond our system really does suck….
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Nãoimporta says
You got to kidding!!! How is this punk out on bail
Concerned Citizen says
Ladies why stay with these men? Get out and get help. Whether it’s from family or friends or State resources get far away the first time a threat is made. And don’t go back !! You are worth more than that.
As a Southern raised man I was brought up in a house hold that did not condone violence and I think I only ever saw my parents argue once. I was brought up under the rule that your parents never better find out you hit a woman. And I had a healthy respect and fear for my dad LOL.
Now it seems rampant in society and women still go back to their abusers even half dead. It makes me sad honestly.
To all those men who feel it is OK to abuse a woman it is far from it. No excuse in your sick feeble mind can justify it. Why not find another man and try your luck if you think you are so bad?
Finally the Judges and Prosecutors need to tighten up on sentencing. Stop giving probation and light sentences and stop pleaing down stuff.
A violent crime should automatically get maxed out. Especially DV stuff. And double it when assaulting a LEO just to ensure extra time.
Anonymous says
Except for the fact that’s a violation of almost every civil right guaranteed to American citizens by the Bill of Rights, that’d be a great idea. 4th Amendment. Read the Supreme Court case law.
palmcoaster says
Why was let him go on bail after threatening an officers life..? No justice here?
Richard says
Another highly revered home owner of Palm Coast P Section. Out on $8000 bail – you’ve got to be kidding. What are these Flagler County judges thinking? Obviously brain dead.
MannyHM says
He should not be allowed to have guns, alcohol, & neighbors should be informed of that. Allowed legally, he should be on Antabuse treatment after prison time.
Steve says
The huge problem is not this guy. He’s a victim of drug and alcohol abuse. Probably a great guy when he’s not drinking. This is the great secret all around us. Think of the hell that wife lives in. I could have easily been this guy. I’m sober, happy , and free 8 years now..I’m 69 yr.. Never too late. Hope this is painful enough for him that he HAS to turn his life around. God will be there to help.
Steve says
I commend the Flagler County Deputies for restraint
This could have gone entirely another way
Great Job by our Deputies
thomas says
Who was the judge that allowed him to be released? Our Judges are worthless.