The pair met when they worked together in 1994 and 1995. She was 18 years old at the time. The victim says they never had a romantic relationship and though they exchanged letters, when she moved away to Minnesota, she never intended to keep in touch.

The victim heard from the man again in 2008 when he contacted her on MySpace. They exchanged notes, though she never added him as a “friend” because she was said to have seen “red flags” that kept her cautious. After she cut off contact once again, the defendant began sending emails to police, asking them to check on her wellbeing.

The police finally checked on the victim in 2009 after the suspect contacted a city councilmember to complain about inaction on the part of the police. When the police met her, she asked them to not tell the defendant anything about her and expressed that she was upset by his actions and continued contact.

For the next several months, he would continue writing letters to the woman, sending them to various addresses. She took out a restraining order in July 2009. The defendant then traveled from California to Minneapolis, visiting three different addresses he had for the victim. Once he found the home where she was living, he left a note for her, asking that she call him. He then returned to California and, with new address in hand, sent her a large package containing every letter he had sent that had been returned, including one which he had burned.

The victim’s fear of the man is apparent as she claims she has had to seek medical attention for the stress-related ulcers she has. Throughout the period in question the suspect even contacted the woman’s parents.

When he was arrested, they found a map in his hotel room with her home and various other locations related to her marked out, though he claimed she and not he is the one with the problem. He wrote in a letter to his attorney: “Unless she gets the help she needs, [the woman] WILL end up being directly responsible for another person’s death within 10 years.”

He’s been charged with aggravated stalking and is being held in the Dakota County Jail on a $25,000 bond. These are very serious charges with potentially life changing penalties.

If you’ve been charged with a harassment or stalking crime, you need the assistance of an aggressive defense attorney on your side. Contact our offices today to discuss your case and how we might be able to help.

Gun permits issued for the first time after the law was passed are now facing a 5 year renewal period requirement. Renewal requires a $75 fee, paperwork updating at the county sheriff’s offices, updated background checks, a refresher course in the rights and responsibilities of the permit, and some additional practice time on the gun ranges.

When this law was passed 5 years ago, there was some concern that more gun incidents would result from the increased available licenses. Under the law, the sheriff’s departments have less discretion in refusing to issue a handgun carrying permit. Anyone who passes the background check, and has no criminal history or mental health issues is issued the permit with no other difficulties. Previously, law enforcement could reject the application for little reason, and had broad discretion in denying the licenses.

Despite this changes, there have been no significant increase (or decrease) in violent crime or gun use. No doubt many people applied for the concealed-carry permit because “the could”. Some probably never even acquired a handgun, and many of those people may be letting their permits lapse at this point.

But if you are going to continue to carry a weapon, please make sure your permit is current, or there could be legal consequences.

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If you are facing a criminal gun charge in Minnesota, please contact our attorney for a free defense consultation.