Man arrested for stalking multiple women while wearing a gas mask

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Joseph Causton Adle, 30, was arrested early this morning and charged with stalking after the victim told police that he had been following her for about five months while wearing a gas mask.

A Gainesville Police Department officer spoke with the victim, who lives at The Ridge Apartments, on November 7 regarding a man who had been following her since June. She reportedly told the officer that the man often waits outside her building, waiting for her to walk her dog, and that he has gotten very close to her on multiple occasions. She reportedly said that he has tried to talk to her on multiple occasions, but she can’t understand what he’s saying through the gas mask. The victim also reportedly said that Adle has also watched her at a dog park. She said she has repeatedly told Adle to stop following her.

Adle has reportedly been trespassed from The Ridge but walks around the complex, anyway. The management at The Ridge reportedly told the officer that there have been numerous complaints from residents about harassing behavior from Adle.

Adle also reportedly showed the officer a document from his own apartment complex that stated he could be subject to eviction due to “causing multiple disturbances on campus.”

The officer reported that Adle often walks around The Ridge, and while Aero on 24th was not mentioned in the arrest report, Adle’s First Appearance Order prohibits him from returning to both apartment complexes.

The officer made contact with Adle at his residence early this morning and showed him a picture that the victim had taken during one of the alleged stalking incidents. Adle reportedly identified himself in the photo and was detained.

Post Miranda, Adle reportedly admitted approaching and following numerous women in the neighborhood. The officer also reportedly found a gas mask on Adle’s bedside table.

Adle has an out-of-state criminal history; Judge Kristine Van Vorst set bail at $50,000 and set a requirement that Adle be fitted with a GPS monitor prior to release.

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.