St. Johns County woman, son escape gunman when he falls asleep, deputies say

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — A St. Johns County man is accused of holding a local mother and her child at gunpoint inside their home.

Deputies said they arrested 30-year-old Louis Defeo who was charged with three felonies, including aggravated assault, kidnapping and obstructing justice.

According to the report, authorities had arrived to the woman's home after she had already told him to leave earlier.

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The report said Defeo pointed a gun at the woman's chest, forced his way in and grabbed her cell phone from her as she tried to call 911.

Deputies said Defeo placed an AK-47 and AR-15 by the bed where the victim and her son were sleeping.

The woman told deputies that she escaped with her child when Defeo fell asleep beside her and the child.

She also told deputies that Defeo told her that he would never leave her alone and would hunt her down for the rest of her life.

Action News Jax crime and safety expert Ken Jefferson said women who find themselves in situations like this need to act quickly.

"This man is a danger to this woman and her child," Jefferson said. "My recommendation to her would be to flee. Don't even let all your family members know where you are because he may have a contact with them and be able to get that information and find you," Jefferson said.

We looked into Defeo's background and found more than a dozen arrests in St. Johns County since 2004.

Public records show that he's been arrested for traffic violations, resisting arrest and battery.

A judge set his bond at $65,000.

Cox Media Group