DeKalb man accused of stalking woman, hiding in bushes

DeKALB – A DeKalb man was arrested after allegedly excessively contacting a woman he knows and stalking her earlier this month.

Butler R. Stapleton, 23, of the 1400 block of North Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb, was arrested and charged with stalking, a Class 4 felony. If convicted, Stapleton could face up to three years in prison.

According to DeKalb County court documents, Stapleton – who also goes by the name Shepherd, but Butler is his legal name, he told 23rd Circuit Court Judge Marcy Buick in court Monday – allegedly has been contacting a woman he knows and stalking her. The woman told police she blocked Stapleton on all forms of social media and that Stapleton allegedly was using unknown telephone numbers to call her throughout the day, according to Jan. 15 police documents.

“[The woman] feared for her safety so she relocated to a new apartment complex in DeKalb, Illinois,” court documents state. “[The woman] stated that she went outside to drop her niece off and she noticed Shepherd Stapleton in the bushes.”

The woman told police that she’s seen Stapleton asleep in his vehicle multiple times, including Jan. 7 and Jan. 13. Stapleton’s vehicle was parked next to the woman’s vehicle outside, documents state.

Buick set a $10,000 recognizance bond for Stapleton, meaning he would be released on his signature. As a condition of his release, Buick ordered Stapleton to not contact the woman until further order of the court.

Buick appointed the county public defender’s office to represent Stapleton.

Stapleton is due back in court at 9 a.m. April 14 via Zoom.