Arrest report cites threatening texts, surprise visit to her home, and a suspected tracker.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL. — A 46-year-old man accused of threatening his former girlfriend by text and appearing at her home was booked on aggravated stalking and related counts this week, then faced a judge Friday in Broward County, according to arrest records and courtroom proceedings.
Authorities said the case is in its early stages, but a judge on Friday found probable cause for aggravated stalking involving dating violence, along with a separate count tied to installing or using a tracking device without the victim’s consent. Investigators identified the defendant as Brian Neilinger of Broward County. The arrest report describes a string of messages sent the morning of the arrest, followed by an uninvited arrival at the woman’s residence. The woman, who previously lived with Neilinger, told deputies he had shown up at her workplace before and that she recently received tracking notifications on her phone. Immediate stakes include court-ordered restrictions and potential felony exposure if prosecutors formally file the aggravated stalking charge.
According to the report, messages sent to the woman escalated over minutes. One text warned he would “arrive within 20 minutes” and “break down [the] door” if she did not answer, the report states. Another referenced violence toward her and a second person. Deputies said the woman was with a new boyfriend when Neilinger arrived at her home; a brief verbal confrontation followed before he left. Investigators documented minor property damage at the scene. When deputies moved to detain him in a separate encounter, the report says he resisted and swung his fists at one of them. In court Friday, Neilinger appeared with visible cuts and bruises noted by deputies after that struggle.
Detectives wrote that the woman had reported earlier signs of unwanted contact, including unannounced visits to her workplace. She also told authorities her phone displayed alerts suggesting she was being tracked. In texts quoted in the report, Neilinger allegedly wrote that “the tracker comes in handy,” language detectives say linked the phone alerts to him. The judge’s probable-cause finding included a count related to installing or using a tracking device without consent. Investigators did not immediately say whether a physical tracker was recovered, and they did not list the make or model of any device. The report also did not specify whether any surveillance video captured the arrival at the home.
Under Florida law, aggravated stalking is a third-degree felony that generally involves repeated harassment or following coupled with a credible threat. The arrest report in this case alleges both elements: repeated unwanted contact and explicit threats of harm. Dating violence provisions may apply when parties are former romantic partners, as the report describes here. In recent years, South Florida agencies have investigated a growing number of cases that involve phones, vehicles, and small location devices, though officials stress that each case turns on its own facts, evidence, and witness statements. Records in Friday’s hearing indicate the case remains open while detectives gather additional statements and digital records.
Friday’s brief hearing focused on whether the arresting facts met Florida’s legal threshold to keep the case moving. The judge found probable cause for aggravated stalking and for the tracking-device count. Court records reviewed at the hearing did not immediately list a defense attorney for Neilinger, and no plea was entered at this stage. The arrest report does not reference a standing injunction between the parties, and investigators did not announce any additional charges beyond those read in court. Bond terms and any no-contact orders were not immediately available late Friday, and the clerk’s docket had not posted a next hearing date when court adjourned.
Outside the courtroom, authorities did not provide a timeline for additional filings. Prosecutors typically decide within weeks whether to formally file charges or amend counts after reviewing body-camera footage, text logs, and any location data. Detectives indicated they are continuing interviews with the woman and other witnesses and will examine the device notifications she reported. Neighbors told deputies they heard raised voices the morning of the confrontation but did not see a physical fight; deputies recorded only minor damage at the residence. The report notes that the woman previously lived with Neilinger but does not describe the length of that relationship.
As of Friday evening, Neilinger remained in custody on the new counts while paperwork moved through the jail and clerk systems. Officials said additional updates could come when prosecutors make their initial filing decision or when the court sets a bond and a status hearing. No injuries were reported in the incident at the home, and investigators said they are still determining whether a tracking device was recovered or if phone-based alerts alone prompted the warnings. The next public milestone is expected when the state attorney’s office files its charging document or the court posts the first status conference on the docket.
Author note: Last updated December 20, 2025.