KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A Pennsylvania man was arrested Friday after authorities said he stalked a person from Pennsylvania, to Texas and finally to East Tennessee.
In a release, the U.S. Attorney's Office said Michael Charles Hoffpowier, 46, from Middlebury, Penn., tracked the victim over a few months. It said on Feb. 12, the victim told law enforcement that Hoffpowier tried to reach out through their employer.
The release said Hoffpowier used a fake name to schedule and appointment with the employer, but used his actual phone number. The employer contacted him and canceled the appointment, but Hoffpowier responded by saying, "I'll see you at 9:00," according to the release.
After contacting him, the employer reach out to law enforcement and on Feb. 14, Hoffpowier was seen driving around the victim's business, according to the release. Knox County deputies found him in a nearby parking lot soon after.
The release said he admitted to using a fake name to make an appointment. The release said he wanted to surprise the victim. Deputies later found text messages on his phone from the victim telling him to cease contact.
He was arrested and after searching the car he was in, deputies said they found two guns. One had an attached silencer. He also had two sets of binoculars and a key to the victim's car.