GEORGETOWN – A 30-year-old Taylor man accused of stalking a Round Rock gym owner received a 15-year prison sentence as part of a plea deal with the Williamson County District Attorney’s Office.
Harley William Hovey also agreed to waive “any right to appeal his case,” according to a prepared statement from District Attorney Shawn Dick.
Hovey pleaded guilty to stalking with a previous conviction Friday, Oct. 25, just before jury selection began, Dick said.
“Hovey was facing a second-degree felony charge punishable by two to 20 years in prison,” Dick said in the release. “The plea agreement included a sentence of 15 years in prison and waiver of any right to appeal his case.”
According to prosecutors, Hovey belonged to a Round Rock gym owned by the victim. In 2021, Hovey was convicted of stalking the victim’s friend and roommate and was sentenced to two years in prison for his actions, according to Dick.
“In that case, Hovey also engaged in a series of disturbing acts targeting the victim, including placing a rabbit’s head on the victim’s property, smashing a window of the victim’s business and smearing human feces on the victim’s car,” the county’s top prosecutor said.
A protective order issued in 2021 prohibited Hovey from “communicating in any manner with the victim or from going to the victim’s place of business,” among other restrictions, Dick said in the statement.
According to the release, “However, on Feb. 11, 2024, Hovey violated this order by threatening the victim via a message sent to the victim’s girlfriend from a fake Facebook account. A law-enforcement investigation linked the Facebook account to Hovey.”
In addition, Dick said, Hovey early Feb. 24 “was caught on surveillance video at the victim’s business, wearing a ski mask and gloves to conceal his identity, in another violation of the protective order.”
Assistant District Attorney Sarah Moore prosecuted the case and was prepared to begin jury selection “when Hovey elected to enter the guilty plea,” Dick said.
The district attorney added, “This case highlights the serious consequences of stalking and the importance of protective orders. We will continue to work tirelessly to protect victims and hold offenders accountable.”
Dick also commended the work of law-enforcement officers who worked on the case.
