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Silt trustee says stalking charge against him is bogus

Pete FowlerPost Independent Staff

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado A judge ruled Wednesday that a felony stalking charge against Silt Town Trustee Bobby Hays could be changed to allege he stalked a woman as early as January 2000.The charge originally alleged Hays, 49, stalked the woman from May to August 2007.The Garfield County Sheriffs Office arrested Hays Aug. 8 after he allegedly followed the woman home from a softball game and blocked her driveway. The woman said hes followed her and driven by her house since 2000, and she made a report to the Sheriffs Office in 2002 about the behavior, according to an arrest affidavit.The woman told a deputy that she tried unsuccessfully to get a restraining order against Hays before, and that Hays said God told him they were married, the affidavit says.Hays has said the accusations are bogus and he cant discuss the matter further because its still going through the court process. He pleaded not guilty in January. His attorney, Greg Greer, couldnt be reached.A letter from a Carbondale couple to a judge and the 9th Judicial District Attorneys Office asks for a permanent restraining order. It says they met Hays at the Assembly of God Church in Glenwood almost seven years ago and found him to be confrontational. They became concerned when police showed up during a church service looking for Hays, the letter says, and he had run downstairs to the kitchen and just grinned when asked if he was in trouble.The couple found out from church leaders about the stalking allegations and were told the church was counseling Hays, the letter says. The church eventually asked Hays not to come back, at which point he began parking his vehicle across the street from the church, the couple wrote.The letter says two years later ushers at the New Creation Church in Canyon Creek asked Hays to leave because the alleged victim was there. Hays argued with them but eventually left, the letter says, adding the couple recommended he seek counseling for his fixation with the woman. The letter says the couples personal accounts of Hays are important because they show the stalking isnt an isolated incident.The alleged victim wrote in court papers, This has had an effect on every part of my life. I am continuing looking over my shoulder to see if Bobby Hays is lurking in the shadows.She wrote that shes installed a security system in her home and cut down nearby bushes and trees, but doesnt feel safe there. She asked for the maximum legal punishment, including prison, counseling and anger control treatment.The stalking charge carries a presumptive maximum sentence of three years in prison and up to a $100,000 fine. However, theres no requirement for mandatory prison or jail time. Silt officials have said theres no reason Hays would be removed from his role as a trustee unless hes actually convicted of a crime.Hays said Wednesday that the charges are bogus and have nothing to do with his service as Silt town trustee. Hes currently seeking reelection to the town board in Silts April 1 municipal election.Hays next court date is April 3. Hes free on $5,000 bond.Contact Pete Fowler: 384-9121pfowler@postindependent.comPost Independent, Glenwood Springs Colorado CO


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