Staff Report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Authorities apprehended James Louis Pandolfe Jr., 38, from Orlando, on December 11, following accusations that he forcibly entered his former girlfriend’s residence and vandalized nearly every possession inside.

On September 4, 2025, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to a distress call from the victim, who expressed fear about entering her apartment. After a precautionary search revealed no one inside, the victim recounted being away from mid-August to September 1. During her absence, Pandolfe allegedly left her voicemails threatening that her apartment was aflame and her belongings would be ruined. Hesitant to return to Gainesville, she found her apartment’s door damaged and numerous items inside destroyed upon her eventual return.

The deputy observed that the apartment’s entrance bore marks of forced entry, with nearly every item inside damaged, sparing only two pieces of furniture. Laundry detergent smeared over walls and a bathroom door reduced to splinters highlighted the devastation. Pages from her diary were torn, and profanities were scrawled across them. The deputy estimated the total damage at approximately $10,000.

When contacted, Pandolfe claimed he visited the apartment on August 26 to retrieve his golf clubs while the victim was away. The deputy noted that some wall damages appeared inflicted by a heavy object, “possibly a golf club.” Pandolfe, however, denied sending any voicemails, breaking in, or damaging the property.

Pandolfe has been charged with burglary with damage over $1,000 and felony property damage. He has one misdemeanor conviction (non-violent), and Judge Susan Miller-Jones ordered him held without bail on the burglary charge, pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial. Today, Judge David Kreider granted that motion and ordered him held without bail until trial.

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.