The Manatee County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help finding Ashaunte Davis, who is wanted on a charge of aggravated stalking. Davis has tattoos on the face, neck, shoulder and hand, according to a note included in the sheriff's alert. Anyone with information is asked to call deputies or submit an anonymous tip that could come with a cash reward.
The case was featured Wednesday in the sheriff's office's weekly “Warrant Wednesday” bulletin, posted to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office Facebook page. The post lists the charge simply as aggravated stalking and directs the public to two contact options: the sheriff's non-emergency line at 941-747-3011, or an anonymous tip line run by CrimeStoppers of Manatee County at 1-866-634-TIPS. The sheriff's office has not released additional details about the specific allegations against Davis, including whether the case stems from in-person stalking, unwanted electronic contact, or the alleged violation of a protective order.
Under Florida law, aggravated stalking is treated far more seriously than the state's misdemeanor stalking charge. Florida Statute 784.048 classifies it as a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in state prison, five years of probation, and a fine of as much as $5,000, according to the text of the statute maintained on Online Sunshine.
What Prosecutors Must Prove
To convict someone of aggravated stalking, prosecutors have to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that a suspect willfully, maliciously and repeatedly followed, harassed or cyberstalked a victim while also making a credible threat of violence or violating a protective court injunction, per an explanation from West Palm Beach criminal defense attorney Roger P. Foley. That distinction matters because Florida's stalking statute also covers cyberstalking, defined as a pattern of unwanted electronic communication — texts, emails or social media posts — that causes substantial emotional distress without any legitimate purpose, according to Demmery Law.
Florida also gives police broader arrest powers in these cases than in typical misdemeanor situations. Officers can make a warrantless arrest in stalking and aggravated stalking cases once they establish probable cause, even if the underlying conduct did not happen in front of them, the Sammis Law Firm notes. Prosecutors, meanwhile, have three years from the date of an alleged incident to file felony aggravated stalking charges, compared with a two-year window for the misdemeanor version, according to Goldman Wetzel.
How The Public Can Help
The sheriff's office regularly uses its Warrant Wednesday posts to crowdsource leads on open felony cases, a strategy Hoodline has previously reported on in connection with other wanted suspects across the county. CrimeStoppers of Manatee County offers rewards of up to $3,000 for anonymous tips submitted before an arrest that directly lead investigators to a fugitive's capture, according to the organization.
The push to locate Davis comes as Manatee County reports broader gains in public safety. Overall crime in the county fell 19.7 percent from 2024 to 2025, according to annual metrics the sheriff's office released, a drop the agency attributed to focused enforcement and community partnerships. Stalking cases remain a significant statewide concern regardless of that trend: the Florida Sheriffs Association cites data showing roughly 38 percent of Florida women and 29 percent of Florida men experience intimate partner violence, sexual violence or stalking at some point in their lives.
No additional details about the alleged victim or the specific circumstances behind the warrant have been made public. As with all wanted-persons bulletins, the charge against Davis reflects an accusation rather than a court determination of guilt. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at 941-747-3011 or reach CrimeStoppers anonymously at 1-866-634-TIPS.
