Man accused of stalking Fort Myers woman he met through TikTok

Reporter: Tiffany Rizzo Writer: Joey Pellegrino
Published: Updated:
Michael French, 40. Credit: Lee County Sheriff’s Office

A man was arrested earlier this month after Fort Myers police say he stalked a woman he met through TikTok.

According to the Fort Myers Police Department, 40-year-old Michael French of South Carolina told an officer he used a private investigator to find a woman he met on the social media platform and messaged her from several numbers. They say he contacted the woman’s landlord and eventually showed up at her home.

The TikTok-er told investigators that French started as one of her biggest supporters, sending her money for her videos. It initially seemed like a professional relationship until French began to seem too attached.

After she blocked him, French reached out to her with over 10 other numbers pretending to be different people. The TikTok-er kept blocking him until she eventually changed her number in February.

French managed to track down her Fort Myers address and arrived at her home. According to his arrest report, the woman heard him trying to open her door, so she grabbed her small child, ran to her car in her closed garage and called 911.

The officers who arrested French say the TikTok-er appeared distraught, shaking and crying. She said she was shocked French could find out where she lived. Officers also found a gun in the car he was driving.

French faces charges of aggravated stalking and has bonded out of the Lee County Jail. His next court date is set for April 3.

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