Gainesville Man Kidnaps Woman in Front of Two Witnesses; Says “It Was Just a Misunderstanding”

Tony Lee Ramsey, 58, was arrested last week and charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment, domestic battery and resisting an officer without violence.  

Two witnesses told police they were standing outside their apartment building when they saw Ramsey grab the victim and attempt to put her in a vehicle. The victim fought back, and Ramsey pushed her to the ground.  

The witnesses observed Ramsey drag the victim into his apartment. The witnesses called 911 after they could no longer see Ramsey and the victim. 

Several Gainesville Police Department (GPD) officers arrived on the scene and surrounded the apartment building. The police commanded Ramsey to exit the building, but he refused.  

Ramsey eventually appeared near the back of the residence, in sight of the officers. GPD gave further commands for Ramsey to exit but he ran back into the building. 

Ramsey eventually exited the building and was detained while officers made contact with the victim.  

The victim stated Ramsey hit her in the head and used his body to pull her toward their residence. 

The victim stated that after she fell and Ramsey dragged her inside, he continued to drag her through the residence and into their bedroom. The victim was bleeding on her nose when officers spoke with her.  

After an officer read Ramsey his Miranda rights, he stated, “It was just a misunderstanding.” Ramsey told police the victim “hit him, and he only grabbed her to calm her down.” 

GPD Officer Autis Gibson reported Ramsey “denied anything else occurred, which is contradictory to what [the witnesses] observed.”  

The State Attorney’s Office made a pretrial detention motion on Ramsey, which was granted by Judge James Colaw.