The ‘Odd’ Neighbor: Cantonment Man Charged With Stalking

February 25, 2015

A Cantonment man described as an “odd” neighbor has been arrested for stalking a woman.

The victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that she, her husband and her young child moved into a Cantonment home just off Neal Road back in mid-December. She said that a neighbor came over the day she moved in. The neighbor, later identified as 50-year old John Matthew Fick, began asking questions about her past and told her that he had previously been charged with stalking, a confession that she found to be “odd” behavior.

Fick returned the following day  asking more questions, and then began dropping by the victim’s home unexpectedly at odd times, until the victim and husband instructed him to stay away, according to an arrest report. The victim said Fick began  to walk around the neighborhood looking at her, which scared her.

In early February, the victim began a new job at a Cantonment store. On her first day at work, she said Fick showed up and began to follow her around the store. She told her manager, who asked Fick to leave the store. A short time later, Fick called the store, demanding to speak to a district manager to make a complaint against the victim.

The manager told deputies that Fick did enter the store and follow the victim around, but at no time did she fail to wait on him as a customer.

Over time, the victim became “increasingly scared for her life and her family’s’ lives due to the actions of Fick,” an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report states. “Fick is clearly engaged in a course of conduct directed at her that has caused substantial  emotional distress and serves no legitimate purpose.”

When questioned by deputies, Fick denied the allegations and said he just simply “sees her around the neighborhood”, and Fick claimed he has been harassed by the victim and her husband.

Fick remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning with bond set at $15,000. If he is released on bond, he’s been ordered to stay away from the victim and her family.  According to court records, he was convicted in a 2013 stalking case and complete 12 months probation. He also has previous convictions on multiple drug charges in Escambia County.

Comments

21 Responses to “The ‘Odd’ Neighbor: Cantonment Man Charged With Stalking”

  1. Godknowsandthatsallthatmatters on March 4th, 2015 7:11 pm

    It was a set up(:

  2. john on February 28th, 2015 8:07 am

    This is a good example of the law not working and protecting us, he will keeping making bail till he finally acts on his wickedness, and some poor woman or child will probably be found dead.

  3. Jonathan dykes on February 26th, 2015 7:10 pm

    His son is one of my best friends and I no that he wasn’t stalking I used to live right down the road from him and he always talks to the new neighbors and walks up and dine the road and it’s his job to do that the land owner of the road makes him do that and his kids are fine they live with johns parents,and I hope they are ok.

  4. bill on February 26th, 2015 8:35 am

    Was he at Cottage Hill or Farm Hill? what make /model car?

  5. chris in Molino on February 26th, 2015 6:40 am

    @Another Neighbor
    I heard about the guy taking pictures. If i was anywhere near a vehicle, i’d chase him down. Cant believe nobody has done that yet. Wherever you live, gotta be vigilant. Talk to your neighbors. Notice things outta ordinary. If i see an unfamiliar car in my neighborhood, im wanting to know who they are and what they’re doin.

  6. another neighbor on February 25th, 2015 8:55 pm

    I have been watching him walk up and down neal and well line for a couple years.I have seen him in store’s. ..I find him to be somewhat OFF…but around his children and when he’s been at the ballparks. ..He hasn’t acted anyway alarming….I dont feel he’s a legimate threat to the neighbors or neighborhood …but the man who is following school busses around well line and cottage hill taking pictures of kids and me and my wife seen he has lots of candy in the front seat….That is a real threat to the neighborhood and the cops cant or wont do anything about it….

  7. Wharf Rat on February 25th, 2015 8:15 pm

    @ Troubled and the victim: Mace?…..nah. Get wasp and hornet spray, It’s cheaper, readily available, sprays a stream around 20′, and can be used for its intended purpose. Just don’t leave it in a hot car. Good luck.

  8. for the women on February 25th, 2015 7:08 pm

    The wife needs to get her CCW if she hasn’t already and the next time this creep shows up at her house smoke him ! Problem solved… surprised the husband didn’t wreck him ??

  9. troubled on February 25th, 2015 5:29 pm

    The lady needs to file a restraining order against him and start documenting what has been going on. If she can afford it get some type of security camera for her house and see about a can of mace. I didn’t say Gun because she has a kid!!! Use your phone camera when out and about. Ask neighobrs to keep an eye out also. Call cops if you feel threatened!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  10. Justice on February 25th, 2015 12:07 pm

    @BigRed
    If you have to never admit who pulled the trigger, never, You have the right to remain silent and if they can’t prove it’s you or your wife who pulls the trigger from what I understand no legal repercussions or lawsuits can come your way.

  11. tina on February 25th, 2015 10:34 am

    I agree with Mr Sarcasm, lol. He need to be behind bars!!!!

  12. Nita on February 25th, 2015 9:47 am

    He has kids
    hope they are safe and cared for.
    So sad for the kids.

  13. BT on February 25th, 2015 9:13 am

    Well, if he’s been ordered to stay away from the victim and her family, then I’m sure that’s just what he’s going to do….because we all know crazy people think rationally.

    That there’s sarcasm, btw.

  14. barbara agerton on February 25th, 2015 9:11 am

    I am praying that he is prosecuted and made to do time in Prison. I am afraid this victim will never be safe until this man is permanently out of the picture,.

  15. rasbone on February 25th, 2015 8:49 am

    I have yet to understand stalkers.Why they stalk a person is just more than I can understand.Has to be a bad mental problem.

  16. Workin Man on February 25th, 2015 7:21 am

    Tote a gun…… It’s your right !!!!!!!!!

  17. molinoman on February 25th, 2015 6:57 am

    C’mon man really? I suggest a mental health eval and medication.

  18. Bob's Brother on February 25th, 2015 6:44 am

    The man should be institutionalized for the greater good. Nobody deserves the trip he put this couple on.

  19. Bob C. on February 25th, 2015 6:38 am

    This man has an obsession about the woman and he cannot leave her alone.
    She and her husband are right to have that raised neck hair feeling about him.
    He needs intense mental evaluation as just a few days in jail won’t change him.
    This could have a very bad, yet very justified, ending.
    All persons in the area need to be very aware of him…Thanks NorthEscambia for the heads up.

  20. Big red on February 25th, 2015 5:24 am

    If he is not smart enough to stay away from my wife after he was warned. Just let him show up at my house again. With proper documentation and he is still a problem. He will be treated like an unwanted pest and exterminated. End of story

  21. xxxx on February 25th, 2015 1:34 am

    Dang freak