Sarpy County man who stalked ex with tracking devices sentenced to prison

SARPY COUNTY, Neb. (WOWT) – A victim who lived with constant worry and wondering how her creepy ex-boyfriend was stalking her can now sleep a little easier.

“(He followed me) to Walmart for groceries or when I went to the park with my kids,” said the victim, who wished to remain anonymous. “He was there.”

Sarpy County sheriff’s investigators found an electronic tracking system placed in a magnetized metal box under the woman’s car. The prosecutor brought criminal charges, and convicted stalker Kenneth Small chose not to ask the judge for leniency, which his public defender did.

“He expresses remorse for the fear his behavior caused the victim,” the defense attorney said in court on Monday.

Sarpy County Circuit Judge George Thompson sentenced Small to a year in prison for the stalking charge and about nine months for other offenses, such as violating a protection order.

“You can get a prison sentence for following someone without their consent and following them,” said prosecutor Rachel Bolton. “It is an offense that becomes a criminal offense if the person has a protection order or if you have committed a stalking offence.”

Bolton says Nebraska’s stalking laws don’t provide penalties for using tracking devices, but the victim is still grateful that the penalty includes some jail time.

“He is getting help and trying to improve the situation,” the victim said. “He’ll be there for a while before he realizes what he’s done and pays for what at least the judge thought was good time.”

Small, who has already spent several months in prison, could be released from prison in less than six months. Since he is in custody, the victim told 6NEws he doesn’t feel the need to check under his car for any devices.

As part of her sentence, Small was sentenced to one month in prison for placing a lock on the victim’s gas meter, which cut off her hot water until the lock was removed.