AfterTheClip

police-misconduct · Amelia Hotel at the Beach, Fernandina Beach, Nassau County, Florida

What happened after Nassau County Deputy William Woods was arrested?

What happened?

Court pending

Nassau County Sheriff's Office Deputy William Woods was arrested and charged with official misconduct and misdemeanor battery after body-worn camera footage contradicted his official report of an incident involving Tyler Merritt. Woods was terminated from the force, pleaded not guilty, and his case was ongoing as of December 4, 2025. Tyler Merritt was adjudicated guilty of driving under the influence, while other charges against him were dismissed or not prosecuted.

5 sourcesBy AfterTheClip Desk · Last checked Jun 21, 2026

By AfterTheClip Research · Research and drafting use automated tools; source, safety, and publication checks follow our documented standards.

The full story

Nassau County Deputy William Woods encountered Tyler Merritt at the Amelia Hotel at the Beach in Fernandina Beach on July 6, 2025. Woods later wrote that Merritt lunged from a patrol car, but body-camera footage showed Woods pulling him out. The written account and recorded encounter did not match. On September 2, Woods was arrested on a felony official-misconduct charge and a misdemeanor battery charge. The sheriff's office also fired him, ending employment that began in 2016. Merritt's case took a separate path: he was adjudicated guilty of driving under the influence, while an obstruction charge was not prosecuted and a careless-driving charge was dismissed. Those outcomes did not decide the accusations against Woods. He pleaded not guilty, and the last court development cited in The Citizen described his case as ongoing on December 4, 2025. The available record therefore documents the footage contradiction, Woods's arrest and termination, Merritt's separate case outcomes, and an unresolved criminal case against Woods at that dated checkpoint.

Where things stand

Woods had pleaded not guilty, and the latest court development cited by The Citizen left his case ongoing on December 4, 2025. Merritt's DUI adjudication and the disposition of his other two charges were separate and did not resolve the case against Woods. News4JAX's coverage established Woods' arrest and firing, but neither article gives a later plea, trial result, dismissal or sentence.

Checked through 2026-07-21.
Sources: WJXT News4JAX; The Citizen

Timeline

  1. The incident involving Deputy William Woods and Tyler Merritt occurred at the Amelia Hotel at the Beach in Fernandina Beach, Florida.

  2. Deputy William Woods was arrested and charged with official misconduct and misdemeanor battery. He was also terminated from the Nassau County Sheriff's Office.

  3. The Nassau County Sheriff's Office announced Woods' arrest and termination.

  4. Deputy William Woods pleaded not guilty to his charges, and his case was ongoing.

  5. Tyler Merritt was adjudicated guilty of driving under the influence, while charges of obstructing an officer and careless driving were dismissed or not prosecuted.

What people are asking

What happened to Deputy William Woods after the incident?

Deputy William Woods was arrested on September 2, 2025, and charged with official misconduct and misdemeanor battery. He was terminated from the Nassau County Sheriff's Office, pleaded not guilty to the charges, and his case was ongoing as of December 4, 2025.

What were the outcomes for Tyler Merritt's charges?

Tyler Merritt was adjudicated guilty of driving under the influence. The charge of obstructing or opposing a police officer was not prosecuted, and the careless driving charge was dismissed.

Did the Nassau County Sheriff's Office take action regarding the incident?

Yes, the Nassau County Sheriff's Office conducted an internal investigation, which led to Deputy William Woods' arrest and termination. Sheriff Bill Leeper emphasized the importance of integrity and accountability within the department.

Receipts

  • WJXT News4JAXSep 2, 2025

    Woods' arrest, the two charged offenses and his termination from the sheriff's office.

  • The CitizenSep 3, 2025

    the body-camera contradiction, Merritt's case outcomes and Woods' not-guilty plea.

  • YouTube (firstcoastnews.com channel)Sep 3, 2025

    contemporaneous video coverage of the arrest and use-of-force investigation.

How we researched this & corrections

This story was compiled using multiple local news reports and official statements, cross-referencing details to ensure accuracy regarding the incident and its aftermath.

Corrections: corrections@aftertheclip.com.

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