Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Brandon Jermain Halstead, 29, was arrested today and charged with kidnapping, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, hindering communication with law enforcement, and property damage in connection with a February 2023 incident.

At about 12:57 a.m. on February 23, 2023, Halstead picked the victim up in his car, and they began arguing. When the victim tried to get out of the car to get help, Halstead allegedly placed her forcefully back into his car; while she was in the car, he allegedly punched her in the ribs and in the head and threatened her with a gun. The victim later told the responding Gainesville Police Department officer that Halstead repeatedly pointed the gun at her head and threatened to kill her as they drove.

While Halstead was preoccupied with driving, the victim furtively sent a text message to her sister, describing the situation and her injuries; she later sent another message, giving their location as they drove around southwest Gainesville. When Halstead realized the victim was texting, he allegedly snatched the phone and looked through it; when he saw she had sent messages to her sister asking for help, he allegedly broke the phone.

The victim’s sister reported the incident to law enforcement, and patrol officers saw a vehicle matching the description provided by the victim’s sister in a shopping plaza near SW Williston Road and SW 34th Street. The vehicle sped away as officers approached, and officers reportedly saw a woman hanging out of the passenger side window. The vehicle turned behind a business at a high rate of speed, and when officers drove around the corner, they reportedly found a woman waving them down; she reportedly said that she had jumped out of the moving car.

The victim was transported to a hospital for treatment of her injuries, which consisted of bruised ribs, multiple contusions and abrasions, and possible broken bones. Halstead was not located at the time, and a search of his known addresses was also unsuccessful.

A warrant for Halstead’s arrest was issued the same day, and formal charges were filed on July 7, with a new warrant that set his bail at $525,000. Halstead was arrested today.

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.