In recent weeks, High Springs has seen troubling incidents of stalking that have raised alarms within the community. One notable case involves 37-year-old Neal Andrew Troiano, who was arrested on September 26, 2025, for stalking an ex-girlfriend. The victim had made it clear back in June 2025 that she did not wish to have any further contact with Troiano. Despite this, he allegedly drove by her residence multiple times and engaged in increasingly concerning behavior.
Surveillance footage from the victim’s doorbell camera captured three separate incidents during the summer of 2025, where Troiano knocked on her door while covering his face and wiping his fingerprints off the door handle with his shirt. This unsettling pattern escalated in September when Troiano followed the woman from her home to a Publix supermarket, where he reportedly banged on her car and shook the door. After the victim called the police, she provided them with video evidence of Troiano’s harassment.
Details of Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Following her report, a sworn statement was submitted in September, leading to formal charges being filed in November 2025. Troiano was issued a summons but failed to respond. Consequently, Judge Susan Miller-Jones issued a warrant for Troiano’s arrest in January 2026, setting his bond at $10,000. It’s important to note that the charges against Troiano are merely allegations at this point, and all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
In a parallel case, 55-year-old West Kelley from Gainesville was arrested for similar offenses, including stalking and harassment. Kelley’s troubles began after his relationship with the victim ended on June 24. Despite her clear request for him to cease all contact, he bombarded her with 32 text messages filled with everything from apologies to anger. When she reiterated her desire for him to leave her alone, he continued to send 30 more messages.
The situation escalated when Kelley arrived at the victim’s workplace on his day off, leading to his suspension after his manager intervened. Kelley then blamed the victim for his job loss, further complicating the situation. Surveillance footage captured him driving past her home multiple times and attempting to disable her ring camera. After further harassing incidents, including multiple phone calls and texts, he was ultimately arrested by Gainesville Police Department officers.
The Broader Context of Stalking
These incidents highlight a significant issue not only in Florida but across the globe. According to a study conducted by the Central Institute of Mental Health in Mannheim, commissioned by the WEISSER RING Foundation, the prevalence of stalking has shown a disturbing consistency over the years. In 2018, 10.8% of respondents reported experiences of stalking, a figure that has remained relatively stable since 2003. Notably, women are disproportionately affected, with 14.4% reporting stalking, compared to 5.1% of men.
Ex-partners are often the primary perpetrators of stalking, and the rise of cyberstalking has added a new dimension to this troubling behavior. The mental health impact on victims can be severe, with many seeking professional help due to the psychological trauma inflicted by such harassment. Alarmingly, 52.1% of victims feel that the legal options available to them are inadequate, highlighting the need for better support systems and resources.
For anyone affected by stalking, resources like the WEISSER RING offer anonymous online counseling and a victim hotline at 116 006. They also provide information and tools, such as a free stalking diary, to help victims document their experiences.
As the cases of Troiano and Kelley illustrate, stalking is a serious issue that demands attention and action within our communities. We encourage anyone who feels threatened or harassed to reach out for help and utilize available resources.