Retired FBI agent: Collier County kidnapping case shows signs of escalating abuse

EAST NAPLES — A man is behind bars after investigators say he held his ex-girlfriend under his control for three weeks as they traveled through multiple states.

Floyd Stuck now faces charges including kidnapping, aggravated stalking and fleeing law enforcement after a chase that ended in Collier County.

Detectives say Stuck threatened his ex-girlfriend's family, took her phone and wallet and kept her under his control as they traveled across the country.

To escape, deputies say she jumped from a balcony in California and made her way back to Southwest Florida.

But investigators say Stuck also came back, this time allegedly trying to place a tracking device on her car.

Rich Kolko, a retired FBI agent, spoke with WINK News about the case.

"It's possible that he was planning to track her when in this car and maybe kidnap her again," Kolko said.

Kolko says cases like this don't develop overnight.

"They had to go through a series of events where it got worse and worse," Kolko said.

He added that the threats against the victim's family were part of a larger effort to keep her isolated.

"He was going to use any means necessary to keep her under his control and that included making threats against her family," Kolko said.

Tama Caldarone with the Shelter for Abused Women and Children says the allegations reflect warning signs advocates often see in abusive relationships.

"Definitely controlling behavior as well, any type of controlling behavior, whether it be use of a cell phone or finance related or decision making," Caldarone said.

She also explained why some victims don't leave sooner.

"Survivors feel any threats to their family members is a threat that needs to be taken seriously," Caldarone said.

The sheriff's office tracked Stuck down in Bonita Springs, where body camera footage captured the chase before he surrendered near a pond in Collier County.

Stuck remains in the Collier County Jail, and advocates say help is available for anyone experiencing domestic violence.