Crestview man accused of threatening girlfriend’s life, hijacking Facebook account

CRESTVIEW, Fla. — A Crestview area man is alleged to have threatened the life of his girlfriend and accessed her Facebook account, according to a report by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.

Brian Howard, 49, of 6356 Highway 393, is charged with aggravated stalking, accessing an electronic device without authority, and use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) said.

According to the OCSO, its investigation also led to the arrest of Joseph Pursley, 52, of 6356 Highway 393 on a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The OCSO said it investigated reports that Howard threatened the victim’s life and her family, commandeered her social media account, and violated the conditions of a domestic violence protection order.

The victim reportedly told deputies that last month Howard threatened to kill her and some of her family members. The next day she said she found a loaded firearm hidden under the driver’s side of Howard’s truck, the OCSO said. She then obtained a temporary domestic violence injunction which reportedly specifies no contact between the two.

According to the OCSO, a forensic search of the victim’s cellphone by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement revealed Howard’s phone of record was the login for the victim’s Facebook account, allowing Howard to access and communicate through her account against her will.

The weapon found in the truck meantime belonged to Howard’s friend, Pursley, the OCSO said. Pursley reportedly told OCSO investigators he is unsure how it ended up in the truck, which he says he has access to along with Howard and the victim.