Man arrested for stalking, breaking into ex-girlfriend’s residence, taking her cat

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Judea Michael Jackson, 44, was arrested yesterday after allegedly threatening his ex-girlfriend, breaking into her residence, ransacking her bedroom, and taking her cat.

The victim told an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy that she was staying in a hotel room out of fear for her life after Jackson threatened to “shoot up her place” after a recent breakup. She said he went to her residence at about 11 p.m. on Saturday night to get his clothes out of the dryer on her open back patio. Jackson allegedly turned off her power with the outdoor breaker box so that her interior camera would be disabled; he then allegedly broke a back window, entered the residence, ransacked her bedroom, took a safe, took her spare house key, and took her cat. About half an hour later, Jackson allegedly sent the victim a text message with a picture of her cat, stating that he would trade her cat for a VR headset that was in her possession.

The victim had reportedly told Jackson multiple times to stop contacting her and to leave her alone, but Jackson allegedly continued to contact her and harass her.

Jackson reportedly never lived at the victim’s residence and was never given a key.

Post Miranda, Jackson reportedly admitted taking the cat but said he found the cat outside (the victim said the cat was left inside the residence). He reportedly said that he received mail at the residence and had his own key, but he was unable to prove that at the time of his arrest. He also reportedly said the victim had never asked him to stop contacting her, but the deputy reportedly saw text messages that contradicted that statement.

Jackson has been charged with burglary and stalking. He has a juvenile criminal history; Judge Thomas Jaworski set bail at $200,000.

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.