Man on probation charged with stalking and threatening to kill estranged wife

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Bryan Joseph Howard, 37, was arrested early this morning after allegedly stalking his estranged wife and threatening to kill her.

At about 12:01 a.m. on January 18, two men who were long-time friends of both Howard and his estranged wife contacted a Gainesville Police Department officer, saying they were concerned about Howard’s estranged wife’s safety.

The victim was reportedly having drinks with the two men at a restaurant when Howard showed up, “acting very hostile.” Within a few minutes, staff reportedly asked him to leave, and after he left, he allegedly began repeatedly calling and texting the victim and the two men.

The responding Gainesville Police Department officer reported that while he was speaking with the victim and the two men, Howard called and texted each of them. Howard allegedly sent a text to the victim that said, “If you don’t answer, I will break into your house and steal [your dog], and I will kill myself and kill both of you.” Howard also allegedly sent threatening messages to the two men, but they did not wish to press charges, saying they were only concerned about the victim.

The victim reportedly said she did not think Howard had any firearms, but she was not sure. She was afraid to go home, and the two men reportedly told the officer that it is only a matter of time before Howard hurts or kills her.

Officers located Howard at his home, and post Miranda, he reportedly said he was “hurt” because he thought the victim was cheating on him with the two men. He reportedly admitted going to the restaurant while they were there and said he knew he should not have sent threatening messages.

Howard has been charged with aggravated stalking and sending a written threat to kill. He has one felony conviction (non-violent) and two misdemeanor convictions (non-violent) and is on probation in a 2023 case in which he was arrested for throwing a rock into his mother’s house after saying he wanted to kill her; he entered a plea of nolo contendere to property damage for the broken window, the other charges were dropped, and adjudication of guilt was withheld, with a sentence of two days in jail with credit for two days served, followed by three years of probation. Judge Tatum Davis set bail at $200,000 on the new charges.

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. 

      • Hey lil Clayton , florida voters registration is public record . google is free instead of making up nonsense like donald and fox tv . He is just like you , Ignorant & Angry , and has a $45 red chinese hat .

        • Seek help for your TDS. Mental Health has suggested communal crying, forest bathing, etc. Maybe you can help Joey move.

          • No I dont think so but to assume political affiliation has anything to do with this guy’s crimes well just makes you a bigger retard then “common sense” you need help too.

  • Is the woman abnormally desperate for companionship? Why did she marry a repeat offender, and then wakes up — only to hang out with two more men?
    On the flip side, the hubby should join an Islamist cult where he won’t have to worry about A wife ever having a male friend.
    💩🤡

    • It’s not the wife’s fault her husband is a psycho. She’s probably just trying to move on and forget about the grown toddler she had to live with.

  • Why does your god allow this to happen ?
    Because he is too busy Allowing a woman to be BEATEN Every 9 seconds in America .(5.3 Million per year) I hate gods that allow women to be abused .

  • Why is this loon who is clearly crazed and violent, out on the streets? Since they closed the big psych hospitals lunatics like this are now either loose on the public or in jail.

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