Since early June, Paige Bueckers, a standout guard for UConn, has experienced stalking and harassment from a man in Oregon, as stated in charges filed in Connecticut Superior Court in Rockville.

A man named Robert Cole Parmalee has been charged with making threats and trying to approach Bueckers and her teammates, with formal charges only being laid on Friday.

The 40-year-old from Grants Pass, Oregon, faces charges of breach of peace, electronic stalking, and harassment, which includes multiple social media posts and videos containing alarming and threatening remarks directed at Bueckers and her teammates.

Timeline of Stalking and Harassment

As reported by ESPN, Parmalee initially attempted to contact Bueckers in February by sending her videos through Instagram, which she never acknowledged.

UConn police first became aware of Parmalee in June upon receiving emails from him claiming he was part of royalty and wanted to marry a member of the UConn women’s basketball team.

According to reports, these emails also contained pictures of well-known figures, including Queen Elizabeth II and Lucille Ball, along with images of other female basketball players. UConn Police noted that initial emails from Parmalee were seen as nonsensical ramblings, but his threats grew more serious as he began posting on social media, even crafting fake wedding invitations.

On his TikTok, Parmalee posted disturbing messages, one stating, “If I can’t be with the woman I choose, [Bueckers], then I’ll choose to end my life along with anyone who opposes me to hell”

Parmalee was arrested by Connecticut State Police on August 27 for charges not related to Bueckers after he traveled across the country to Hartford. When questioned by the police, he said he came to see Bueckers, referring to her as his “friend.”

Comments Go Beyond UConn

While Bueckers bore the brunt of Parmalee’s harassment, UConn spokesperson Stephanie Reitz mentioned that his initial June emails also included references to various other female players nationwide. She noted, “UConn employees and many others across the U.S. continued receiving emails in the following weeks, which were submitted to police for investigation of possible criminal activity.”

Charges Against Parmalee

Parmalee faces charges of breach of peace, electronic stalking, and harassment. He is currently being held on a $100,000 bond. He appeared in Rockville Superior Court on Monday, and his next court appearance is scheduled for October 22.