Kenneth Horn, a 34-year-old resident of Gunter, has been sentenced to ten years in prison and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine for the felony offense of stalking. The case dates back more than 15 years, with Horn's arrest occurring in May of 2022 after the victim reported harassment at her home, workplace, and her parents' residence.
Grayson County Criminal District Attorney Brett Smith commented on the nature of stalking, emphasizing its impact on victims. "Stalking creates a lot of fear for the victims of these crimes, and it's designed to try to control someone that they don't have physical control over," said Smith.
Horn and the victim initially met in college, and in 2010, he was convicted of harassing the same woman. Despite legal interventions, Horn continued his relentless pursuit, making direct contact with the victim and her father through various means, including texts, mail, gifts, and visits to the victim's parents' home. Denison Police had previously instructed him to cease such actions.
"This defendant showed that he wasn't going to stop; that probation wasn't going to make him do anything," Smith remarked, highlighting Horn's lack of remorse during the proceedings.
Horn's stalking behavior included disturbing incidents, such as being found crouched behind the victim's car with a hunting knife during their college years. He had also sent flowers with a note reading, "I love you enough to face the consequences."
In response to the persistent threat posed by Horn, the Grayson County jury handed down a ten-year prison sentence, and Smith noted that if given the opportunity, they might have imposed a longer term. The victim was granted a Lifetime Protective Order as part of the legal measures to ensure her safety.
