Florida Man Accused of Making 16,000 Calls to 911, Now Facing Stalking Charges

A 72-year-old Florida man has been arrested after authorities say he made more than 3,400 calls to 911 this year alone, bringing his total over the past five years to roughly 16,000.

The man, identified as Samuel Lee Thomas of St. Petersburg, is accused of using the emergency line to repeatedly harass a neighbor by making false claims of criminal activity at her home.

Thousands of 911 Calls Lead to Arrest

Police say Thomas made hundreds of complaints to law enforcement about the household across the street, alleging drug sales, gun use, disorderly behavior, and more. One of the most recent calls claimed someone was firing an AR-15 in the roadway. When officers arrived, they found a peaceful family barbecue with children playing and no evidence of a firearm.

Neighbor Reports Ongoing Harassment

The woman living at the property, Anqunette Peterson, 34, told officers her family has had “hundreds of police interactions” due to Thomas’s calls. She also claims Thomas frequently stops outside her house to shout obscenities. Police concluded that the calls were part of a targeted effort to harass the Peterson family, rather than legitimate concerns.

According to a report, officers determined that Thomas was deliberately using the emergency system to intimidate the family, and they arrested him for stalking and filing a false report. He is also facing a charge of resisting arrest after allegedly struggling with police during the incident.

No Mental Health Issues Cited, Prior Criminal Record Confirmed

Court documents reveal that Thomas has no known mental health conditions, nor was he under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of his calls. Authorities noted that the sheer volume of calls—averaging over 600 already in 2025—cannot be justified by public safety concerns.

Though he has never before been charged with misusing 911, Thomas does have a criminal record that includes battery, DUI, marijuana possession, disorderly intoxication, and passing bad checks. He has pleaded not guilty to the current charges and was released on $1,500 bond.

Peterson says she is pressing charges because she fears the harassment could eventually become dangerous. “We’re emotionally drained,” she said, citing the toll on her family’s well-being.

In a brief phone call, Thomas denied any wrongdoing, claiming he simply reported “neighborhood nuisances.” He also described himself as “ex-military” and said he planned to speak further with reporters at a later time.

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