NEWBERRY, Fla. – Austin A. Weingart Jr., 42, of Gainesville, was arrested yesterday after allegedly placing tracking devices on his former wife’s vehicle. Following the arrest, investigators added charges after reportedly finding cocaine, dextroamphetamine, and two firearms.
According to an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office detective, the woman had discovered a tracker on her vehicle about a year ago. Last week, she contacted authorities again, saying Weingart had continued sending her “numerous” text messages despite her request that he stop. She also reported receiving 14 phone calls from him after making that request.
On November 1, Weingart allegedly sent the woman a message referring to a “tracker” on her vehicle. He reportedly claimed he had not been monitoring her since the earlier device was found, but said he had received a notification that the tracking plan had been renewed and believed another device might still be attached to the vehicle.
Deputies went to the woman’s home on November 2 and reportedly located a tracking device on her vehicle that resembled the one found the previous year.
The woman reported finding yet another device on November 4. Deputies reportedly recovered a second tracker from the vehicle.
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On November 5, deputies contacted Weingart and interviewed him at the sheriff’s office headquarters. After being advised of his Miranda rights, he allegedly admitted placing about three tracking devices on the vehicle. He also reportedly said he had last accessed the tracking application approximately two months earlier.
During the interview, Weingart allegedly removed an item from his pocket and swallowed it, telling deputies it was prescription medication. Investigators reportedly found four dextroamphetamine tablets in his pocket.
A subsequent inventory search of Weingart’s vehicle reportedly uncovered approximately 7 grams of cocaine, several “apple seed” baggies, and two firearms.
Weingart faces charges for possession of a controlled substance, two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony, cocaine possession with intent to sell, three counts of installing a tracking device without consent, and stalking. He has one prior nonviolent misdemeanor conviction. Judge Adam Lee set bail at $80,000 and ordered that he wear a GPS monitor if released.