A 48-year-old St. Pete Beach man is facing a misdemeanor stalking charge after investigators say he left a woman 43 voicemails over an 11-day stretch earlier this month. He also called 911 four times during October to report alleged crimes involving her. Pinellas County deputies arrested Michael John Murray after an affidavit detailed a pattern of contact the woman said made her fear for her safety.
A Flood of Calls Despite Being Told to Stop
According to the affidavit, investigators allege Murray left 43 voicemails for the woman between Oct. 12 and Oct. 23, as reported by WTSP. Investigators said Murray repeatedly contacted the woman by phone and email despite being told to stop, and the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office ultimately arrested him on the misdemeanor stalking charge, per the affidavit.
Per the affidavit, the woman attempted to block Murray's phone number, but the outlet's report notes he continued contacting her from a blocked number and left additional messages anyway. That detail, investigators say, showed a deliberate effort to keep reaching her even after she tried to cut off contact.
Four 911 Calls Deemed Unfounded
Authorities said Murray called 911 four times during October to report alleged crimes committed by the woman, but those reports were determined to be unfounded, according to the same account. Deputies said Murray claimed the woman had been harassing him, though investigators found the crimes he reported to 911 did not hold up.
The woman told deputies that the repeated unwanted contact left her concerned for her safety, a statement that factored into the stalking charge against Murray.
What Florida's Stalking Law Covers
Florida law defines stalking as willfully, maliciously and repeatedly following, harassing or cyberstalking another person, and classifies the basic offense as a first-degree misdemeanor, according to the Florida Legislature. Separately, the law classifies aggravated stalking involving a credible threat — defined as a verbal or nonverbal threat that places someone in reasonable fear for their safety — as a third-degree felony, though that elevated charge does not apply in Murray's case as currently filed.
