Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A 45-year-old man named Joseph Taylor, Jr. is facing charges of aggravated stalking. This comes after accusations that he shattered a window at his former girlfriend’s residence, consistently reached out to her against her wishes, and threatened her life.

According to the victim, who spoke to a Gainesville Police Department officer, she ended her relationship with Taylor several months ago. Since their breakup, Taylor reportedly made multiple attempts to reach her via phone calls and personal visits. On May 20, he is accused of visiting her current residence, demanding entry and threatening to break a window if she didn’t comply. Minutes later, he allegedly smashed the window with some unidentified object. The victim recounted that she fled the scene, with Taylor momentarily pursuing her before escaping on a bicycle.

On June 4, Taylor is accused of making several phone calls to the victim, despite her reiteration for him to cease contact. He purportedly continued to call, threatening to come to her apartment with intentions of physical harm, possibly even murder. The officer who responded noted the victim was evidently frightened and distressed due to these threats.

The officer reportedly monitored a call between the victim and Taylor, and when the victim said Taylor had recently threatened to kill her, Taylor reportedly said, “I’m sorry.”

As a registered Career Offender, Taylor is required to report his address to law enforcement. When the officer went to his registered address, a family member reportedly said Taylor had not lived there for several months.

Taylor has been charged with aggravated stalking and violating Career Offender registration requirements. He has 16 felony convictions (eight violent) and 12 misdemeanor convictions (one violent); he has served four state prison sentences, with his most recent release in August 2021. He is facing a property damage charge for allegedly breaking the window. Judge Susan Miller-Jones ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that hearing.

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.