Colorado Man Arraigned on Federal Stalking Charges in New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE – Peter Fitzpatrick, 42, of Wheat Ridge, Colo., was arraigned this morning in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., on an indictment charging him with three counts of stalking.  During his arraignment hearing, Fitzpatrick entered a not guilty plea to the indictment, and was released pending trial under pretrial supervision and other conditions of release.

Fitzpatrick was arrested on Oct. 4, 2017, in Denver, Colo., and was transported to New Mexico by the U.S. Marshals Service to face the charges in the three-count indictment, which was filed by a federal grand jury on Sept. 21, 2017.  According to the indictment, between Feb. 1, 2016 and Sept. 1, 2017, Fitzpatrick used interstate communication devises, including a telephone, to engage in a course of conduct against the three victims that placed the victims in reasonable fear of death and serious bodily injury.

If convicted of the crimes charged in the indictment, Fitzpatrick faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.  Charges in indictments are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was investigated by the Office of Law Enforcement for the Southwest Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Letitia C. Simms is prosecuting the case.