Santa Rosa County, FL – In a dramatic and courageous rescue effort, deputies with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office (SRSO) freed a woman from a harrowing situation of prolonged abuse and captivity in Navarre, Florida, after she managed to send a chilling plea for help from inside a public restroom.
A Note That Sparked a Lifesaving Operation
On May 27, 2025, deputies responded to a report of a suspicious note discovered inside the restroom of a local business in Navarre. The handwritten message, penned by the victim herself, identified her by name and stated she was being held against her will at a nearby residence. She described fearing for her life and begged for help.
SRSO investigators immediately began piecing together information using surveillance footage, prior case records, and interviews with witnesses. Through these efforts, they identified the suspect as 34-year-old Jordan Williams, a man with a known history of domestic violence incidents involving the same victim.
Swift Action Leads to Victim’s Rescue
Armed with a search warrant, deputies executed a tactical entry into the residence listed in the note. Inside, they located an adult female, visibly injured and emotionally distraught, who confirmed she had authored the note and recounted a horrifying period of months-long abuse and isolation at the hands of Jordan Williams.
According to her account, Williams subjected her to:
- Repeated physical assaults
- Threats involving deadly weapons
- Extended periods of isolation, preventing her from seeking help or contact with the outside world
Deputies observed multiple visible injuries on the victim. She was immediately transported by EMS to a local hospital for treatment of suspected broken bones and other trauma. The SRSO Victim Advocates team responded to support her through medical care and the early stages of recovery.
Jordan Williams was arrested at the scene without incident on May 28 and transported to the Santa Rosa County Jail. He is facing a slew of serious charges in connection to the abuse:
- Felony – Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon (Domestic Violence)
- Felony – Kidnap / False Imprisonment (Domestic Violence)
- Felony – Battery (Domestic Violence)
- Misdemeanor – Battery (Touch or Strike – Domestic Violence)
- Felony – Battery by Strangulation (Domestic Violence)
He is scheduled to appear before a judge on May 29 for a first appearance hearing, where a decision on bail will be made.
Sheriff Commends Victim’s Bravery, Deputy Response
Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson praised the swift and coordinated efforts of his team, emphasizing that the rescue was made possible because of the victim’s bravery and the deputies’ immediate response.
“This case represents the strength of coordinated work by my staff and the remarkable courage of the victim,” said Sheriff Johnson. “Thanks to her courage and the deputies’ swift actions, she is now safe and receiving care. We are thankful this woman found a way to reach out—and we want every survivor of abuse to know that help is always available.”
The case serves as a chilling reminder of the hidden nature of domestic abuse and the importance of community vigilance. Authorities are encouraging anyone who suspects someone is in danger or experiencing abuse to speak up and seek help.