Sneads man arrested for Burglary with Aggravated Assault and Burglary with Aggravated Battery

The Jackson County Times received the following press release from the Sneads Police Department.

On Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025 at approximately 10:00 p.m. the Sneads Police Department received a 911 call about an assault that had just occurred at a local residence.

Upon arrival officers interviewed the two female victims and obtained sworn, recorded statements. Both individuals reported hearing someone at the back door of the residence. Upon opening the door they found Ernie Wambles, brandishing a knife.

Wambles reportedly forced his way into the house and took one of the women’s cell phones to keep her from calling for help. He confronted the other female in the bedroom, forcing her onto the bed where he held a knife to her throat and threatened to kill her. He repeatedly demanded drugs, but they had nothing to give him. At one point Wambles made the females sit on the bed and he told them he was going to kill them both. A few moments later Wambles attempted to stab one of the women in the upper torso, but the second female grabbed his arm and the two of them fought with him and prevented the attack.

One of the females was allowed to go into the kitchen to tend to a pot that was boiling over. She stated that she emptied the contents of a Koolaid packet into a small Ziploc bag and brought it back to him, pretending it was drugs. Upon receiving the baggie, Wambles quickly fled the residence.

A short time later Wambles was taken into custody without incident at his residence and lodged in the Jackson County Correctional Facility.

Ernie Wambles had been given a trespass warning for the residence where the assault occurred only a few days prior.

 Based on the fact that he had been trespassed, coupled with him forcing his way into the residence while armed and attacking the two women, he was charged with Burglary with Aggravated Assault and Burglary with Aggravated Battery.

Each of these charges are First Degree Felonies, which can carry a sentence of up to life in prison.

The Sneads Police Department would like to thank the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in taking this subject into custody.

Ernie Wambles                                                                                                                                                               

W/M Age 67       

  Sneads, Florida