MINNEOLA, Fla. – A Lake County man says he refuses to turn down his loud music, which has resulted in his arrest twice this month.
William Presley was first arrested on March 9 when a noise complaint was called in at 1 a.m. Deputies said Presley turned down his music but then turned it back up again at 3 a.m. When deputies arrived the second time, they say Presley was intoxicated and said "it's Friday night and time to party."
Deputies said the music was loud enough to hear from the street. They arrested him on the City of Minneola's noise ordinance which prohibits, "the playing of any radio, phonograph, or any musical instrument in such a manner or with such volume particularly during the hours between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort, or repose of persons ..."
Presley was arrested again on a different violation on Saturday when deputies were called to his house at 10 p.m. A neighbor reported she could hear the music from her house in backyard and that Presley refused to turn it down, according to the report.
When deputies arrived, Presley told them, "I'm just enjoying my music." He was charged with a Florida statue against nuisances and disturbing the peace, which is punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
On Tuesday, Presley pleaded no contest to the first ordinance violation and was ordered to pay $645 in fines and court costs. He is still awaiting trial for the second violation.
Deputies said noise complaints were made 8 times, including the two incidents resulting in arrests.
Presley tells Local 6 he's a DJ and needs to check his equipment for his business, Velvet Swagger Entertainment.
"They handcuffed me, put me in the back of the car," Presley said. "I feel like it's our freedom of speech that's being slammed on and criminalized. That's the worst part about it, that we're all going to jail for this simple thing."
He says he doesn't have any plans of turning down his music.
"I'm going to keep at it. I'm going to keep doing what I have to do," he said.
The sheriff's office has previously said they've had to bang on the front door repeatedly when they've been called to the home because the music is so loud. Presley tells Local 6 that didn't happen and says he thinks everyone is overreacting.