A Taylor man, having already a record of stalking convictions, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after entering a guilty plea to charges of stalking the owner of a Round Rock gym and their roommate, as reported by KVUE. Harley William Hovey, 30, faced the possibility of 20 years behind bars, but the plea deal struck before the jury selection could start cut it to 15 years, with no opportunity for appeal.
Hovey's criminal past includes acts of sinister manipulation and outright aggression. In 2021 he was convicted of stalking that involved grotesque displays, such as positioning a rabbit’s head on the victim's property, breaking a window of their business, and smearing human feces on their vehicle. A protective order, supposed to sever any ties of communication and proximity with the victim after his release, was put in place but Hovey proved dismissive of the law’s intent, and indeed its explicit instruction. On February 11, he overstepped the protective order by sending a threatening message to the victim's girlfriend using a fabricated Facebook account, which authorities later linked back to him, CBS Austin reports.
His defiance did not end there. On February 24, surveillance cameras captured Hovey at the victim’s business, his face hidden behind a ski mask, his hands cloaked in gloves - a premeditative gesture to hide his identity yet engage in the act he had been legally barred from.
Williamson County District Attorney Shawn Dick spoke to the gravity of such crimes, saying, “This case highlights the serious consequences of stalking and the importance of protective orders." Adding, "We will continue to work tirelessly to protect victims and hold offenders accountable,” as KVUE obtained. Assistant District Attorney Sarah Moore was ready to proceed with the trial when, the decision to plead guilty came from Hovey, curtailing what might have been an exhaustive process for all parties involved.
