Indiana man convicted of stalking former classmate

DEARBORN COUNTY, Ind. (WXIX) - A 22-year-old Lawrenceburg man was convicted of felony stalking Wednesday.

Cole Hornsby, 22, faces two and a half years in prison following the conviction, according to Dearborn County Prosecutor Lynn Deddens.

While Hornsby was a student at East Central High School, he “became infatuated” with a classmate, the press release explained. The classmate did not reciprocate his advances, the release added.

Court documents say a school official confirmed Hornsby was stalking the victim by watching surveillance video. The video shows Hornsby going to her locker between classes, even when it was out of his way.

His harassment of the victim escalated after he was expelled from school for having a gun, according to the press release.

Hornsby started calling the victim and even began showing up on the street she lived on, the release stated.

The victim told authorities Hornsby would come to her locker, park near her car and ask her friends why she would block him. He also told her friends he did perverted things while look at her Facebook photos.

The victim obtained a civil protective order and testified that she wanted Hornsby to leave her alone and was scared by him and his actions.

Records show a family member of Hornsby texted the victim and asked her to drop the protection order, saying he would leave her alone and called the protection order “unnecessary.” However, when questioned, the family member said Hornsby sent the text from his phone.

Hornsby allegedly contacted the victim from jail when he was booked on an invasion of privacy charge.

Court records also show that in November 2019, Hornsby asked to make a statement in court then professed his love for the victim while she was there with her family.

“Hornsby’s actions have terrorized this victim,” Prosecutor Deddens said. “I am glad that jurors saw the evidence and convicted him. Convictions on the Level 6 Felonies, only carry a maximum sentence of two and a half years.”

Hornsby will be sentenced on May 5.

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