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Starke Man Charged With Stalking After Online Relationship

Joshua C. Demps (Photo courtesy Levy County Sheriff’s Office)
Joshua C. Demps (Photo courtesy Levy County Sheriff’s Office)

A Starke man was arrested Friday on stalking and burglary charges after a woman he was dating tried to end their relationship.

Joshua C. Demps, 26, pursued the victim in the Bronson area of Levy County after meeting her online and having a short-term relationship with her, according to a press release from the Levy County Sheriff’s Office.

When the woman tried to end the relationship, Demps called her up to 30 times daily, described her day to her in detail, called her employer several times to get information about her, and hid in a closet at her home, the release said. He was also seen outside the victim’s residence.

After speaking with the victim, Levy County Sheriff's Office investigator Mike Wilkinson was able to attain a warrant for Demp’s arrest based on evidence gathered.

Demps was taken to the Levy County jail with a bond of $325,000.

The arrest comes from a joint effort between the Levy County Sherriff’s Office, the Starke Police Department and the U.S. Marshal’s Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force, the release said.

The sheriff's office encourages those pursuing online relationships to be cautious, according to the release.

Glenn is a senior journalism major at UF. He has written for The Gainesville Sun and the Independent Florida Alligator.