A Fruitland Park man was arrested after allegedly sending a letter with a hand-drawn heart to a woman who has a restraining order against him.
A deputy responded to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office in Bushnell for a civil call involving 52-year-old Brian Keith Stafford at around 1:45 a.m. Sunday, according to an arrest report from the SCSO.
The female victim advised that Stafford had reached out to her through the mail even though a domestic violence injunction was in place. The letter was clearly from him due to the indicators written within, including a code word she used with her family growing up and a drawing of a heart.
A few days prior, the victim received text messages from a number that was written in the letter. Stafford included the address where he was currently staying in Fruitland Park.
A criminal history check confirmed Stafford had an active domestic violence injunction. It was served to him on Oct. 13 and restrained him from communicating with the victim, the report said.
Stafford was arrested Tuesday morning for violation of injunction. The Pennsylvania native was transported to the Sumter County Detention Center to be held without bond.