Gainesville Kidnapper Gets 43+ Years

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Curtis Kennedy Williams, 31, of Gainesville, will spend the next 43 years and 9 months of his life behind bars after being sentenced for a horrific kidnapping and subsequent assault. The sentence, handed down by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, follows a jury conviction on July 27, 2016, on charges of kidnapping, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. This wasn’t a simple abduction; it was a calculated act of brutality.

The nightmare began in October 2015 when Williams, along with co-defendant Shakayla Nicole Taylor, 22, of Harvey, Louisiana, forcibly kidnapped a young woman in Gainesville. They crammed her into a vehicle, holding her captive at gunpoint, and embarked on a cross-state journey to Taylor’s Louisiana residence. The trip became a prolonged ordeal of terror for the victim. According to court documents, Williams didn’t just kidnap her – he repeatedly raped and beat her throughout the journey.

The depravity didn’t stop there. While en route, Williams callously fired a gun into the backseat of the car, a blatant disregard for the victim’s life and a chilling demonstration of his violent nature. The pair were eventually apprehended at an apartment complex in Louisiana, where the victim was thankfully rescued. Taylor, who pleaded guilty to kidnapping, received a 72-month prison sentence in September 2016 – a fraction of the punishment handed down to Williams.

U.S. Attorney Christopher P. Canova minced no words: “Combatting violent crime is a top priority for my office, the Department of Justice, and our many federal, state, and local law enforcement partners who tirelessly work to keep our communities safe. While a prison sentence cannot reverse the unspeakable trauma inflicted on the victim, it sends a strong message that those who commit brutal crimes and put other people’s lives in danger face serious consequences under the law.”

Federal and local law enforcement officials emphasized the collaborative effort that brought Williams to justice. FBI Special Agent in Charge Charles P. Spencer stated, “The FBI is committed to thoroughly investigating violent crimes of this nature, and we will continue to work with our local and state law enforcement partners to hold offenders accountable and ensure justice for their victims.” Alachua County Sheriff Sadie Darnell added, “Violent crime will not be tolerated in Alachua County. This case shows the complete cooperation within the law enforcement community to bring justice to violent criminals.”

The investigation was a joint effort by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in Louisiana. Assistant United States Attorney Frank T. Williams prosecuted the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, one of 94 nationwide, continues to pursue justice in federal criminal cases. Public court documents can be found on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For further information, contact Public Information Officer Amy Alexander at amy.alexander@usdoj.gov.