“Now I Don’t Have a Job” Gainesville Man Arrested After Being Suspended from Work for Stalking and Harassment

Gainesville Police Department (GPD) officers arrested West Kelley, 55, Thursday and charged him with stalking and harassment. 

According to the arrest report, the victim ended her relationship with her co-worker, Kelley, on June 24 and told him she didn’t want to see him anymore. Shortly after, Kelley reportedly sent the victim 32 text messages that ranged from apologizing for his actions to anger over her not responding. 

The victim eventually responded to Kelley, telling him to leave her alone again. Kelley reportedly responded by sending 30 more texts before the victim replied “Stop.”

Kelley continued texting the victim, and she replied, stating, "At this point there is nothing to talk about, you've made things so much worse." 

Kelley responded, stating, “I will see you today. I put that on my mother. Have a good day until you see me lol.” Kelley then sent the victim dozens more text messages and tried to call her over 30 times. The victim answered one of the calls and told Kelley to stop, and he reportedly responded, saying he’d “be seeing her at work.”

The victim told her manager that she was afraid Kelley was on his way to possibly harm her. Kelley eventually arrived at the workplace even though it was his day off. The manager intervened and suspended Kelley before he could make contact with the victim. 

Kelley then blamed the victim for his own actions, reportedly texting her, “Thank you… I got suspended for a week thanks a lot. Have a nice day. Now I don't have a job.”

Kelley was later caught on surveillance video driving past the victim’s residence multiple times throughout the day, according to the arrest report. On the fourth occasion, Kelley attempted to hide his vehicle, but it was reportedly still visible in the camera frame. 

The arrest report states Kelley “walked to the front door of the residence and it appears like he tried to pull the ring camera from the way in an effort to disable it. When this doesn't work, he leaves the residence."

GPD Officer Andrew Milman arrived on the scene a few hours later and began investigating the incident. 

Milman is one of the officers who contributed to local controversy in 2022 after making jokes with another officer about Terrell Bradley’s eye being torn out by a K-9. 

Milman reported that he answered the phone when Kelley started calling the victim. Milman reported that he gave Kelley a “clear warning” and said the victim didn’t want anything to do with him. Milman asked Kelley where he was located and said he wanted to speak with him. Kelley then hung up the phone. 

Kelley reportedly texted the victim 18 more times after hanging up on Milman, with one of the messages stating he “wasn’t scared of the police.”

Later in the night, the victim reported that Kelley was at her residence again, and police responded and arrested him.

During his police questioning, Kelley reportedly claimed the victim invited him to her residence. 

Kelley is being held in the Alachua County Jail on a $100,000 bond.