Kingsport man pleads guilty in stalking spree

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September 10th, 2014 3:58 pm by Rain Smith

A Kingsport man will serve three years behind bars followed by a two-year suspended sentence that includes mental evaluations and treatment after pleading guilty to a systematic stalking spree of local women.

Albert J. Toronjo, 63, of 1608 Redwood Drive, appeared Tuesday in Kingsport General Sessions Court, followed by a Wednesday appearance in Criminal Court in Blountville. According to Sullivan County Assistant District Attorney Gene Perrin, in both instances Toronjo entered guilty pleas to a variety of misdemeanor charges, all related to the harassment of females in Sullivan County.

On May 15, the Kingsport Police Department asked the public for information on a man approaching women unsolicited, offering to perform handyman services. At that time, the KPD said the suspect made his advances as females were working in their yards, walking or out shopping and appeared in some cases to be targeting the recently widowed.

The suspect, whose identity as Toronjo was withheld at the time, also reportedly wouldn't take no for an answer making repeated appearances in neighborhoods or "randomly" bumping into the victims at public places.

The KPD's request for tips opened a floodgate of complaints and accusations, with Toronjo positively tabbed as the perpetrator in dozens of incidents. Within a week the KPD had approximately 50 possible cases, while the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office was also fielding multiple allegations.

Over the past two months, additional victims have come forward, while past incident reports have been combed over by investigators. According to Perrin, approximately 100 victims have now been identified, but the statute of limitations had expired in many cases.

In others, Toronjo reportedly didn't commit a criminal act, but acted outside of socially accepted norms, making women feel uncomfortable or threatened.

"Citizens need to know, especially our female citizens, that anytime they are put into a situation like this, even if it's not criminal, call the police department," Perrin said. "Report this type of activity and have it documented, making sure it's available for us down the road if needed in a parallel or subsequent investigation.

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Kingsport man pleads guilty in stalking spree