A Woodland Hills man pleaded guilty to felony charges of stalking two Ventura County women. Derrick Toole, 59, faced the music on December 15, admitting to actions that put these women through an ordeal of harassment and intimidation, according to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.
The relentless pursuit began after Toole's relationships with the victims ended. Despite a temporary restraining order, he inundated the first victim with calls, texts, and unannounced visits, even going as far as to put a tracking device on their vehicle. While the second victim tried to move on after a brief fling, Toole plastered personal communications on her property and disturbed her peace with a BB gun barrage, among other egregious violations of her privacy.
Toole also admitted to a special allegation that his stalking showed signs of "planning, sophistication, or professionalism." His calculated moves included using multiple GPS trackers to monitor his victims' movements. The disturbing tactics were extensively documented by the Simi Valley Police Department and captured by residential security systems.
Deputy District Attorney Tessa McCarty, who worked on the case, emphasized the severe impact of Toole's actions. "The victims in this case were traumatized by the defendant’s repetitive and relentless stalking behavior," McCarty said. "It is my hope that this conviction provides them the closure they deserve."
Justice, however, will be fully served on February 6, 2024, when Toole is slated to receive his sentence, possibly facing up to three years and eight months behind bars.
