Man From Humble Pleads Guilty To Stalking Ex-Girlfriend

CONROE, TX —A man from Humble with prior criminal convictions pleaded guilty Monday in district court to the charge of stalking, a third-degree felony. In accordance with the plea, he was sentenced to 40 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Due to his criminal history, the man faced between 25 years and life in prison, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.

Kenneth Mahaffey, 49, was arrested by Montgomery County Sheriff's Office deputies last June after repeatedly stalking his ex-girlfriend. The victim reported that Mahaffey had sent her emails containing threats toward her and her family, appeared unannounced at her home on multiple occasions and told her: "you're gonna be the reason I end up on death row."

"We are grateful for the proactive approach by the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office in getting this violent felon off the streets before he could carry out his threats," said Kevin Bratcher, Montgomery County's assistant district attorney. "We hope the victim and her family can finally find some peace."

Mahaffey previously received a prison sentence for assaulting another ex-girlfriend and also being in possession of crack cocaine. In that case, he was arrested after striking the victim in the head with a brick. He also had received prison sentences for forgery and engaging in organized crime. Mahaffey also received a 15-year sentence for evading arrest with a motor vehicle.

In the most recent case, authorities said they were notified in May of 2020 about Mahaffey stalking his ex-girlfriend. The victim said she had ended their relationships after enduring months of physical and emotional abuse by Mahaffey. Montgomery County Sheriff's Office deputies initiated an investigation and advised Mahaffey to cease all communications with the victim. However, the victim reported that threats began to escalate, and that Mahaffey began sending threatening emails at all hours of the day and night. On multiple occasions, Mahaffey drove slowly by the victim's home or appeared at her home unannounced.

On June 1, 2020, according to police reports, Mahaffey walked up to the victim's front door, only to be confronted by the victim's father, who was holding a gun. Mahaffey fled, but was later brought into custody.

"Stalking is one of the ways perpetrators of domestic violence maintain control over their victims," said Brett Ligon, Montgomery County district attorney. "The abuser tries to present two options to the victim: be abused with me or live in fear without me.

"However, this case demonstrates that victims have another option, which is to seek help from law enforcement. Montgomery County law enforcement, including the district attorney's office, will answer that call. There is help, there is hope and there is a place to put away the Mahaffeys of this world."