Worland man pleads guilty to stalking local businesswomen

WORLAND – Todd A. Royal, 45, pleaded guilty to stalking three different Worland women during a change of plea and sentencing hearing in front of Fifth Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Edward Luhm Thursday, Feb. 28.

Under a plea deal, Royal will be sentenced to three years supervised probation with a one-year suspended jail sentence for the three misdemeanors. A felony charge of violating a protection order was dropped as part of the deal.

According to the affidavit that served as factual basis, Royal used his internet marketing business, social media outlets, and his business Facebook page, Western Wyoming Weather, to connect with the three victims.

In one case, shortly after agreeing to provide internet marketing services to a local female business owner, he began to make advances. When those advances were rejected, the business owner continued to receive messages that began to become threatening.

In one exchange, Royal stated, “I know you a lot more than you think,” and began to mention personal information about the victim’s family that she did not feel he would know. At one point he messaged, “I’m like Visa, everywhere you want to be.”

The other two cases were similar. When Royal’s advances were not reciprocated, his messages became more threatening. All three victims shared concerns with authorities that Royal would use his social media connections, the Western Wyoming Weather page, and his Internet knowledge to stalk, threaten, or tarnish their businesses or personal reputations. Even after being cited for stalking, Royal continued to post about the victims on his personal Facebook site.

Two of Royals victims gave statements during the sentencing hearing, detailing the harassment they endured and how it affected them personally and their businesses.

After the statements were read, Luhm addressed Royal, characterizing his treatment of the three victims as “irrational, pathological stalking.” Adding, “I don’t know if you understand how serious this is.”

During the sentencing phase, public defender Michelle Burns requested the court find Royal unable to pay the attorney’s fees. Royal explained to the court that he lived off of social security and a renter that pays $100 per month.

Washakie County Deputy Attorney Anthony Barton reminded the court that during a recent initial hearing for a violation of a stalking order charge, Royal claimed that he worked for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as a weatherman as a reason for a favorable bond. Royal clarified that the only payment he receives from the government agency is reimbursement for college classes. The judge ruled that Royal did have the ability to pay his attorney fees.

Washakie County Victim Witness Coordinator Bob Vines said, “Stalking can look different these days. There’s a lot of information online. Someone who is computer savvy, harbors an unhealthy obsession, and has a lot of time on their hands, can really make life miserable for the victim. ”

“There are a lot of boneheads out there that think they can text-message someone into submission or intimidate them into having a relationship,” he said. “Those love stories typically end in a protection order, or worse.”