JEFFERSON COUNTY, TX — A 20-year-old Texas man facing a third-degree felony stalking charge was remanded into custody after a judge increased his bond and ordered mandatory GPS monitoring, citing a terrifying affidavit that detailed loaded gun displays on FaceTime and repeated death threats to the victim’s family.
The intense bond modification hearing before Judge Stevens highlighted the court’s strict zero-tolerance approach toward domestic harassment and non-compliance with pre-trial conditions.
Disturbing FaceTime Threats and Indictment
The defendant, identified as 20-year-old Kle, appeared in court to address his pending felony case. According to court documents, Kle was indicted by a Jefferson County grand jury on a third-degree felony stalking charge carrying a penalty of up to 10 years in state prison.
Reading directly from the arrest affidavit, Judge Stevens detailed a pattern of escalation.
While responding to a harassment call from the victim—Kle’s ex-girlfriend and the mother of his child—police officers personally listened in on a incoming call from Kle from a restricted number, warning him to cease contact immediately.
Despite police warnings, screenshot evidence submitted to investigators revealed that Kle repeatedly sent messages threatening to kill the victim and her family.
“According to police, you stated multiple times that you would kill the victim on the screenshots,” Judge Stevens read from the record. “You told her you were going to go to her family members’ houses, wait on them, and she would see what would happen. You stated you would kill everyone she loved… and showed her a loaded pistol on a FaceTime call.”
The intimidation forced the victim and her child into hiding at temporary locations to escape him.
Mumbling, Interruptions, and Math Tricks
Throughout the hearing, the defendant repeatedly interrupted the bench, mumbled his responses, and tried to dismiss the serious allegations as “old stuff.”
“Not old to me!” Judge Stevens fired back, cutting off another attempt by the defendant to talk over him. “I’m not through, Mr. Interrupter!”
The proceedings hit another snag when the judge instructed Kle to complete a financial affidavit for indigent defense representation. Upon reviewing the form, Judge Stevens discovered that Kle had attempted to manipulate his financial numbers, inflating his claimed monthly expenses to $7,250 despite earning only $18 an hour building data centers.
“Come on, you’ve got to do the math properly,” Judge Stevens scolded, forcing the defendant to correct and initial the altered figures under supervision. “Don’t try to trick the court here.”
Bond Increased to $30,000 and Immediate Custody
While the original bond set in February was $20,000, the prosecution urged Judge Stevens to increase the amount, pointing out that Kle had continued to make repeated attempts to contact the victim in recent weeks despite active protective orders.
When Kle casually admitted to contacting the victim as recently as the preceding Monday, Judge Stevens ruled that the existing $20,000 bond was entirely insufficient to guarantee public safety.
Judge Stevens officially increased the bond to $30,000 and ordered Kle to be taken into custody immediately until the additional bail is posted.
In addition to the increased financial penalty, Judge Stevens imposed strict pre-trial release conditions once bonded out:
-
Mandatory GPS Ankle Monitor: Required at all times to track his location.
-
Strict Home Confinement: Restricted to his residence, permitted to leave only for work, food, court, and attorney visits.
-
Geographic Limits: Confined strictly within Jefferson County, Texas.
-
Zero Contact: Absolute prohibition from contacting the victim directly, indirectly, or through third parties.
“We worry about the victim’s safety in light of the fact that you have been accused by the grand jury of a very disturbing set of circumstances,” Judge Stevens concluded before remanding him to bailiffs. “Stay away from that lady.”
Full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEHblei1Ws4