Officer James Stafford Pleads Not Guilty to Stalking

LAFAYETTE, Colo.

A Lafayette police officer pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges that he gave his ex’s new boyfriend a traffic ticket, kept both under “surveillance” and damaged the hood of her car during an argument.

James Edward Stafford, 34, was arrested by the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office in July on suspicion of stalking, a felony, harassment, official misconduct and criminal mischief related to domestic violence.

On Thursday, Stafford’s attorney, Michael T. Lowe, arranged for a three-day jury trial beginning June 22.

Lowe declined to comment on the case and said his client also would not answer questions.

Lafayette Cmdr. Mark Battersby attended the brief hearing. He said he was there to keep up to date on the case because it involves one of his officers — who remains on unpaid leave.

According to sheriff’s investigators, Stafford’s ex-girlfriend, a manager at Sonic in Lafayette whose name wasn’t released, told police she met Stafford in the summer of 2007 and that they had an on-and-off relationship.

The official misconduct charge stems from the traffic ticket, issued July 23.

Stafford, while driving an unmarked Lafayette police truck equipped with warning sirens, gave the woman’s boyfriend a ticket for weaving. Stafford then sent the woman a text message that said, “Your boyfriend just received a ticket, ha ha,” according to the arrest affidavit.

Lafayette police have since cleared the ticket.

In an interview with police, Stafford said he pulled the man over after he swerved over the yellow line into the oncoming lane of traffic, believing the man might be drunk. He told police he didn’t know the driver was the new boyfriend until after he pulled him over.

Battersby said police have since been able to recover video footage of the traffic stop from the truck’s dash-mounted camera.

The other charges stem from various other encounters.

In June, the woman told police, Stafford called her boss at Sonic and told him to fire her because she was stealing money and dating an employee.

She also told police Stafford sent her text messages while she was at work that indicated he was watching her.

Stafford remains free on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond. Police also took 13 guns from Stafford’s home, including rifles, pistols and a shotgun.