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Man accused of stalking son’s family says he loves them

Joseph Lawrence Sontos
Joseph Lawrence Sontos

A Leesburg man accused of stalking his son’s family insists he keeps going to their house “just to show them love.”

Joseph Lawrence Sontos, 67, of 34652 Haines Creek Road, was charged with four counts of aggravated stalking after being arrested at his home on Tuesday. He was previously convicted in 2020 and served 12 months probation for domestic stalking.

Sontos’ daughter-in-law told a Lake County sheriff’s deputy on Monday that at around 8 a.m. April 5, her husband was leaving their residence go to work and saw his father driving past the home in a red Toyota Corolla. She said Sontos waved at her husband as if nothing was wrong, according to the sheriff’s office report.

Sontos’ daughter-in-law said Sontos has been stalking her family for about three years. She said he passed the residence on multiple occasions at around 8 a.m., which is about when she drops off her son at the bus stop. She said Sontos is mentally ill and has threatened her family in the past. She said a no-contact order has expired and Sontos has resumed stalking them by driving past their residence, the report said.

The daughter-in-law said her husband couldn’t give testimony because he was in Tampa, applying for a job and trying to get away from Sontos. Deputies spoke with Sontos at his residence and he told them, “I go over to them because I love them, just to show them love,” according to the report.

Sontos is being held in the Lake County Jail on $40,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in Lake County Court on May 23.

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