Gainesville Man Released on Recognizance in Rape Threats Case Arrested Again for Sexually Assaulting Publix Employee

On October 12, 2023, Steven Jamal Welch, 30, was charged via sworn complaint with simple assault and resisting an officer without violence. 

The sworn complaint by Gainesville Police Department officer Brandon Vidal states Welch “was yelling at the victim in the Panda Express parking lot…. [Welch] yelled, ‘Fuck you bitch come over here and give me head.’ The victim stated she ignored him, and [Welch] yelled ‘I’ll come over there and rape you bitch’ and ‘fuck you bitch I’ll rape your baby.’ The victim promptly jumped out, closed the rear door, went to the front driver’s seat, and called 911.” 

Judge Thomas Michael Jaworski ordered that Welch be given recognizance release on January 19, 2024.

On December 15, 2024, Welch was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and two counts of battery.  

Welch was caught on security cameras walking up to an employee at Publix and sexually assaulting her. The victim said, “What the fuck are you doing?” and Welch replied, “I want you.” The victim got help from a co-worker, and Welch began leaving the store. 

As Welch was walking out of Publix, he saw a woman walking with her family and attempted to grab her by the arm, causing her to walk away. 

Welch was detained at the Starbucks located at 3524 SW Archer Road.

Welch told GPD Officer Pablo Figueroa that he “wanted to be a little aggressive” with the first victim and stated he “touched [her] glutes but definitely didn’t squeeze her glute.” 

Figueora reported that Welch poses “a genuine threat to the community as a sexually violent offender.”

Welch’s bond is set at $100,000.