Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – An Ocala man was taken into custody Thursday night at Gainesville’s Rosa Parks Transfer Station after police said he used another person’s cellphone to send himself money through Cash App and later threatened to shoot the victim.
According to the Gainesville Police Department, an officer was called to the transit hub at 700 SE 3rd Street around 9:15 p.m. on September 4. The victim told police that 25-year-old Jonathan Leigh Montalvo II asked to borrow his phone, and the victim handed it over. While using the device, Montalvo allegedly opened the victim’s Cash App account and transferred $9 to himself without permission. Police said he also attempted additional transfers of $500, $300, and $100, but those transactions were declined by the victim’s bank.
The victim reported that when he tried to look at the screen and see what Montalvo was doing, Montalvo quickly moved to another app. After the phone was returned, the victim said he noticed a Cash App text alert stating that a new phone number had been added to his account.
The situation escalated when the victim confronted Montalvo while recording video, police said. During that exchange, Montalvo allegedly threatened to retrieve a gun from his purse and shoot him. The victim told officers Montalvo asked whether he “really wanted to die so young,” prompting him to run away because he feared for his safety. When Montalvo picked up his purse and began walking back toward him, the victim called 911.
The responding officer noted that the victim appeared visibly shaken. The victim also showed police his transaction history, which reportedly included a $9 Cash App payment sent to an account under the name “Janissa Montalvo.” The officer said the app also showed the three attempted transfers that did not go through.
When questioned about why he would send money to himself using the victim’s Cash App, Montalvo reportedly claimed he did not have Cash App. However, when he showed the officer his own phone, the officer reported seeing the Cash App icon on the device.
Montalvo also allegedly denied sending any money, while telling police the victim was “not street smart” for allowing “a random person” to use his phone.
At the jail, the officer asked Montalvo if he goes by another name, and Montalvo reportedly said he goes by “Janissa.”
Montalvo has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, attempted grand theft, and petit theft. His criminal history is unavailable; Judge Sheree Lancaster set bail at $425,000.
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.
