DOB: 09/10/1988

Case Number: 2025 0249 CF

Kidnapper Convicted in High-Speed Chase through Seventh Judicial Circuit

PALATKA – After a three-day trial, a Putnam County jury found defendant Michael McNeal guilty of Aggravated Fleeing or Attempting to Elude, two counts of Culpable Negligence, False Imprisonment and Burglary of an Unoccupied Conveyance.

On March 3, 2025, St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office deputies located a vehicle wanted in connection with the kidnapping of a woman and her two young children in Broward County. The Margate Police Department, Florida Highway Patrol and AVIS car rental company all worked together to locate the vehicle.

When deputies activated their emergency lights and sirens to pull the vehicle over, the defendant began a high-speed chase through St. Johns and into Putnam County.

During the pursuit, the vehicle reached speeds over 130 mph and almost crashed into multiple SJSO vehicles. After entering Putnam County, the vehicle turned all its lights off and eventually crashed at North Highway 17 and Comfort Road while Putnam County Sheriff’s Office deputies were in pursuit.

McNeal then ran away and left his three victims behind. The victims were rescued while deputies began searching for McNeal. He was later found hiding inside an open-bed tractor-trailer with the assistance of the SJSO aviation unit and arrested.

The mother was beaten and choked. Her children were unharmed but were not wearing seatbelts.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case with assistance from the Margate Police Department, St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit, Palatka Police Department and Florida Highway Patrol. Assistant State Attorneys Andy Rippeon and Jonathan Gless successfully tried the case for the State of Florida. The Honorable Kenneth Jansek presided over the case and is set to pronounce sentence on December 29, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. McNeal faces up to 25 years in prison for the crimes.

The defendant also has other charges related to the kidnapping pending in Broward County.