Jeremy Floyd is a DeLand, Florida man arrested in May 2018 after his girlfriend slipped a handwritten note to staff at a DeLand veterinary clinic begging them to call police, ending a two-day ordeal in which she said she was beaten and held at gunpoint inside their home.
What Happened at the Home
Starting Wednesday, May 23, 2018, Floyd, then 39, battered his 28-year-old girlfriend, Carolyn Reichle, at their shared home in the 900 block of South Amelia Avenue. The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said Floyd held Reichle at gunpoint and refused to let her leave for two days. The two struggled over a handgun during the ordeal, and it discharged inside the house. Investigators later found two bullet holes in a hallway wall.1Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. Beaten DeLand Woman Slips Note, Pleads for Rescue From Boyfriend
The Note at the Vet Clinic
On Friday, May 25, Reichle convinced Floyd to let her take their dog to the DeLand Animal Hospital. He agreed but insisted on coming along, carrying a loaded handgun and threatening her during the drive.2WESH 2 News. Beaten Woman Rescued After Slipping Note to DeLand Veterinary Staff for Help Inside the clinic, she passed a note to a staff member. It read: “Call the cops. My boyfriend is threatening me. He has a gun. Please don’t let him know.”1Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. Beaten DeLand Woman Slips Note, Pleads for Rescue From Boyfriend
Staff called law enforcement. DeLand police arrived first, detained Floyd, and recovered the loaded handgun. Deputies took Reichle to Florida Hospital DeLand, where she was treated for a head injury, a black eye, and bruised arms.1Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. Beaten DeLand Woman Slips Note, Pleads for Rescue From Boyfriend
Arrest and Charges
Floyd was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail on five initial charges: aggravated assault with a firearm (domestic violence), false imprisonment, simple battery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. Bond was set at $57,000.1Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. Beaten DeLand Woman Slips Note, Pleads for Rescue From Boyfriend
The felon-in-possession counts reflected Floyd’s prior record, which according to WESH included 2016 convictions for burglary, drug offenses, and grand theft of a motor vehicle.2WESH 2 News. Beaten Woman Rescued After Slipping Note to DeLand Veterinary Staff for Help Reichle herself declined to pursue charges, but prosecutors moved forward with the felony case independently.1Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. Beaten DeLand Woman Slips Note, Pleads for Rescue From Boyfriend
47 Jail Calls and a Stalking Charge
Floyd’s pretrial release conditions barred any contact with Reichle. The Daytona Beach News-Journal reported that he called her 47 times over a single weekend from the jail phone system: 15 on Saturday, 17 on Sunday, and 15 on Monday.3Daytona Beach News-Journal. DeLand Man Accused of Holding Girlfriend Captive Calls Her 47 Times From Jail
On May 30, 2018, prosecutors charged him with violating pretrial release conditions and added a stalking count. A judge revoked his bond and ordered him held without bail.4ClickOrlando. Man Who Held Girlfriend Hostage Calls Victim From Jail 47 Times, Deputies Say
Where the Case Stands
Floyd appeared in court on June 21, 2018, and pleaded not guilty to aggravated assault, false imprisonment, domestic battery, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.5ClickOrlando. Man Whose Girlfriend Slipped Note Begging for Help at Vet’s Office Enters Plea Available public reporting does not document a final disposition, conviction, or sentencing. As of that June 2018 hearing, Floyd was being held without bond at the Volusia County Branch Jail.