GAINESVILLE, Texas — A Florida fugitive wanted for making violent threats has been arrested in North Texas after investigators tracked his movements across multiple states, authorities said.
Gage Sleap, 22, of Palm Coast, Florida, had been wanted since March 27 on a Flagler County warrant tied to an investigation into written threats to kill.
According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, detectives determined Sleap made multiple threats to a victim through Facebook Messenger, including statements that he would burn her home, kill her, and that he had a knife with her name on it. Authorities also said Sleap tagged the victim in a social media post stating he intended to “put her in a grave.”
Investigators later learned Sleap had left Florida and was believed to be in Independence, Missouri. After attempts to locate him there were unsuccessful, deputies developed information that he was traveling by bus toward the Dallas area.
The sheriff’s office coordinated with multiple law enforcement agencies in North Texas, including officers with the Gainesville Police Department, who confirmed a bus stop in their jurisdiction.
On April 10, 2026, Gainesville officers located and arrested Sleap at the bus stop based on information provided by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Unit.
“This arrest is a perfect example of something that a lot of fugitives have learned the hard way: You can run, but you can’t hide from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office!” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “Our deputies in the Fugitive Apprehension Unit are some of the best in the business at tracking down criminals, and we coordinate with our law enforcement partners around the country to bring fugitives to justice. I commend our team for their hard work and thank the Gainesville Police Department for their assistance.”
Sleap was taken into custody on a fugitive warrant for written or electronic threats to kill. He is being held without bond at the Cooke County Detention Center while awaiting extradition back to Florida.