Cleon Williams, affectionately known as “Uncle Lou” in Orlando’s music scene, faces a misdemeanor charge after undercover agents of Florida’s Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco allege they purchased two shots of liquor at his Mills 50 bar, which only had a license to sell beer and wine, a citation states.
Read more More showers and possible lightning storms in the afternoon
Williams was initially booked into the Orange County Jail on Saturday under an immigration hold, which typically means a person isn’t facing criminal charges beyond some sort of immigration violation.
But days later, Williams’ name appeared in the Orange County Clerk of Court alongside a handwritten notice to appear filed by ABT. The document states Williams was working as a manager at Uncle Lou’s when undercover agents bought a shot of vodka and another of peppermint schnapps.
Read more House stiffs Florida State Guard, job training fund in budget talks
He’s due to be arraigned on June 23.
Williams, 62, was born in Jamaica, though it remains unclear what prompted him to be flagged by Immigration and Customs Enforcement as a candidate for deportation. He’s been retained by The Arroyo Law Firm.
ICE and ABT haven’t responded to questions about Williams’ arrest, which sparked outcry from progressive politicians, Orlando’s indie music community and patrons of his bar Uncle Lou’s Entertainment Hall.
Read more Lawsuit ties ‘brazen fraud’ over real estate to murder of Fort Lauderdale woman in Spain
News of the misdemeanor charge was first reported by WKMG.
This is a developing story, please check back for updates.