A recently promoted sergeant in Winter Garden, Florida, is facing multiple charges after allegedly stalking a woman. He is accused of planting a tracking device in the alleged victim’s vehicle, and, when questioned about it, he reportedly told investigators he was “pranking a friend.”
As reported by WESH, citing Apopka police, the sergeant was identified as 36-year-old Bryan Tyrell Stubbs. He began his police career in Winter Garden back in 2016 and, recently, was promoted to sergeant.
According to authorities, Stubbs met the alleged victim five years ago. They reportedly met at a northwest Orange County bowling alley.
All changes in April, however, as the woman in question revealed a strange occurrence allegedly involving Stubbs. According to her, she found him snooping around her vehicle at the bowling alley’s parking lot.
Investigation, Device Found
The woman, who has not been publicly named but is the mother of a two-year-old boy, spoke with Apopka police. An investigation followed, and police officers gained access to security video footage.
Allegedly, the video showed Stubbs next to the driver’s side of the woman’s vehicle. At one point, he is accused of reaching into the wheel well.
However, when an officer searched the vehicle, nothing was found. The woman then took her vehicle to a local garage, where a mechanic recovered a tracking device, which was then turned over to the police.
A ‘Prank’
Stubbs was eventually interviewed by law enforcement agents. When asked about the allegations, as per an incident report, Stubbs said he was “just going to prank her.”
Still, the woman filed a restraining order against the Winter Garden police officer. In it, she expressed having “concerns for her safety.”
Furthermore, as per a complaint, the woman included a text message Stubbs had sent to her. In it, the man allegedly admitted to the act, writing, “I was attempting to put something in your car.”
Arrested, Placed on Leave
On Saturday, June 6, 2026, the police arrested Stubbs. He is charged with invasion of privacy through the installation or use of a tracking device without consent, unauthorized access to a computer or electronic device, and stalking, as per WKMG.
Winter Garden Police Chief Steve Graham shared that Stubbs has been placed on paid administrative leave. He called the situation “distressing,” as law enforcement agents are “charged with enforcing these laws, not breaking them.”
“The allegations are concerning and do not reflect the standards we expect of our personnel,” a Winter Garden police statement read. “We take matters of this nature seriously and will fully cooperate with the Apopka Police Department as its investigation continues.”