Florida man accused of pistol-whipping an Uber driver who gave his daughter a ride when she slipped out

Authorities say a Florida father pointed a gun at an Uber driver’s face, forced him to the bottom and took photos of his driver’s license after he drove his daughter home.

Sean Hollonbeck, 54, has been charged with kidnapping/false imprisonment and aggravated assault in reference to the May 4 incident.

According to WEAR Channel 3 News, an Uber driver called Santa Rosa deputies on the Circle K gas station that evening after Hollonbeck allegedly held him at gunpoint.

He told authorities he picked up a “younger white woman” in Pensacola and drove her to a home in Milton.

When he stopped shortly before 11 p.m., he said Hollonbeck ran outside armed with a rifle and shouted at him to get out of the automobile while pointing the gun and threatening to shoot.

When the driver got out of the automobile, Hollonbeck ordered him to lie on his stomach within the road and compelled the driver to take out his license.

After taking photos of his ID card, license plate, Uber account and the address where he picked up his daughter, Hollonbeck let the driver go.

On Saturday, officers went to Hollonbeck’s home and spoke with him and his daughter.

The arrest report states that his daughter stated that her father “was acting like a madman, brandishing a gun and screaming.” Before returning home, she reportedly traveled to Pensacola, situated half-hour from Milton. Her friends were also at her house and witnessed the incident.

The report says Hollonbeck admitted to his actions, telling deputies he was “fearful for his daughter’s safety, doesn’t know who she is with or that she left without permission.”

Hollonbeck was arrested Sunday, surrendered his gun to authorities and was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail.

After posting bail and being released, he told WEAR News his side of the story, standing by his actions and stating that he wasn’t sure who was bringing his daughter home.

“This vehicle was completely unmarked and I had no idea,” Hollonbeck said of the Uber driver’s automobile. “Actually, for my part, it wasn’t good. And everyone knows what is going on on on this country with fentanyl, child trafficking, rape and terrible things.”

He shared his status as an Army veteran and said he didn’t consider he did anything unsuitable. He recalled that after his daughter slipped away, he tried calling the Santa Rosa and Escambia County sheriff’s offices, but deputies did little to assist him on the time.

“In this country, you might be innocent until proven guilty. If this case goes to trial, I am unable to wait because I need to take a seat on a jury of 12 mothers and dads and judge whether what I did was fair because I called law enforcement but didn’t get it,” Hollonbeck said.

While his story could have resonated with some viewers, many individuals online aren’t buying it.

“Child traffickers don’t give their victims a ride home,” one person wrote on Yahoo.

“I spent 24 years within the Air Force. I do not see how it could justify my criminal behavior if I did something like that. Even saying “I’m a veteran” in such a situation is an insult to good, honest vets,” one other commenter said.

“In this country you are innocent until proven guilty.” He didn’t provide Uber drivers with the identical rights,” one comment reads.

“Serving” is a trope that has zero value. I would like time at Klink.