An Orange County firefighter is off the job after deputies say he repeatedly harassed an ex-girlfriend both online and in person, including posting a nude photo of her without consent and trailing her to and from work. The allegations led to his arrest and prompted county fire officials to relieve him of duty while both law enforcement and the department review what happened.
Cesar Sandoval-Macías, 28, was arrested on April 23 by the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office and is facing misdemeanor counts of cyberstalking and sexual cyberharassment, according to WFTV. The station reports that deputies submitted an arrest affidavit describing what they say was a sustained pattern of threats, spoofed phone calls, and unwanted electronic contact after the relationship ended in January.
Investigators allege Sandoval-Macías created a fake TikTok account in February using the victim’s name and posted a nude photograph of her, then used multiple phone numbers and spoofing techniques to try to intimidate her, FOX 35 Orlando reports. Deputies say he also left insulting voicemails and threatened to share additional intimate images the woman had sent him while they were together.
What Investigators Say
“She told us that she had repeatedly told him to leave her alone, and he did not discontinue that,” Capt. Kim Montes of the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office said, according to WESH. The victim filed an injunction in March, and detectives say they gathered pictures and videos that show Sandoval-Macías following her and parking outside her residence.
Internal Review And Union Response
Orange County Fire Rescue said in a statement that Sandoval-Macías “has been relieved of duty pending the outcome of an internal investigation,” FOX 35 Orlando reported. Christopher Ritchie, president of the Orange County Firefighters’ Union, told WESH that the union has received the case and “will likely represent him to ensure he is treated fairly.”
Legal Context
Under Florida law, “cyberstalking” and “sexual cyberharassment” are criminal offenses. Penalties can include misdemeanor charges for first-time violations, with tougher consequences for repeat offenses or conduct tied to financial gain. The Florida Statutes define the offenses, outline potential punishments, and specify that sexual cyberharassment can rise to a felony for repeat or profit-motivated cases.
Sandoval-Macías was hired by Orange County Fire Rescue in February 2023, local reporting shows, and criminal proceedings are pending as prosecutors review the arrest affidavit. Officials did not immediately say whether the charges might be upgraded, and initial reports did not list any court dates.
