Man falsely accused of arson hits new roadblock

During 10 months in jail, unemployment statute of limitations passed

YULEE, Fla. – For the past four months Ryan Wilson has been trying to re-claim his life.

After being wrongfully accused of arson and burglary last year and forced to spend 10 months in a Nassau County detention center, Wilson said he's lost everything.

Wilson was arrested in a string of arson fires to a number of vehicles and homes between February and May of last year, but he was acquitted by a jury in just minutes.

A year before his incarceration Wilson, 50, was working at a bread company. But when he was injured at work, he settled a worker's compensation claim, and the money he had been receiving with that claim ran out just last week.

"At the time of the injury I wasn't allowed to draw work comp and unemployment at the same time," Wilson said. "But now I have been released from work comp, and I thought about going to file for my unemployment wages, but I was turned down today. They said my wages were disqualified."

Wilson actually filed for unemployment earlier this month, but when he walked into Career Source Northeast Florida to check his status, they told him he no longer had a work history.

"They told me I qualified for unemployment, but by me being falsely accused and arrested, the statute of limitations ran out," Wilson explained. "That means all my quarters had come out the system, so I no longer exist in the system as an employee."

Wilson said he told the unemployment office about what happened with his acquittal and that he was released on May 12, but he was told that it didn't matter because of the statute of limitations.

"I'm still looking for answers," Wilson said. "It's like every door is closed. … I have kids and a family. I'll be 51 the 28th. Where do I go from there?"

The Department of Economic Opportunity provided this statement: "We cannot comment on any individual's case, per Florida statutes."

Now Wilson said he's back to square one.

"Nobody gave me no kind of, 'I'm sorry' or nothing. They just threw me to the wolves and feel like they got away with it, but I'm going to fight to the end," Wilson said. "I'm homeless, but I"m going to keep the faith. I know God will keep opening doors. I'm not going to panic."