71-year-old arrested for stalking 17-year-old girl

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Ronald Guy Bishop, 71, was arrested yesterday afternoon and charged with stalking after repeatedly calling a 17-year-old girl who had asked him to stop calling her.

Bishop allegedly repeatedly contacted the victim at two restaurants where she works and by phone. The victim contacted law enforcement “numerous” times about the harassing calls. At one point, Bishop was given the phone number of a family member of the victim, and he also called that number several times, believing he was speaking with the victim. The family member reported that on one occasion, Bishop offered Xanax and alcohol if the victim would come visit him. Law enforcement also told Bishop to stop contacting the victim and her family “on numerous occasions.” Deputies also reported that they met with Bishop in person to explain to him “in depth” that he could face criminal charges if he continued to try to contact the victim or her family.

He has two active injunctions from other victims, and the deputy wrote that he “has demonstrated a continued history of this sort of behavior.”

Post Miranda, Bishop reportedly alleged that his most recent call to the family member, which prompted deputies to make contact with him at his residence, was an accident. He reportedly said that he was trying to contact a scooter repair company, but he writes phone numbers down on paper without always noting the name associated with the number.

Bishop has one violent felony conviction and three misdemeanor convictions. He served a 2-year state prison sentence for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and was released in 2009. He is being held on $10,000 bail.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.