Paducah student arrested for harassment, stalking

    Barely a week after being arrested on a charge of harassing communications, a student was taken into custody again Tuesday on a 2nd degree stalking charge.
    Darin Tisdal, junior from Paducah, Ky., reportedly maintained unwanted contact with a student after being instructed by Public Safety to cease communications.
    The victim called Public Safety at 2:15 a.m. Feb. 22 to report Tisdal had contacted her again after officers had spoken with him. At 11:31 a.m. officers arrested Tisdal on campus.
    David DeVoss, director of Public Safety, said via e-mail that an arrest is made after assessing the total circumstances.
    “No direct verbal threats of violence were alleged,” DeVoss said. “However, his continuing pattern of behavior, even after admonishments from both the victim and the police to cease contact, became alarming to the victim.”
    He said harassing communications is a Class B misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a $250 fine.
    The victim called Public Safety Monday reporting a phone call from an unknown number. After confirming the number was Tisdal’s, officers obtained a warrant for his arrest.
    Tisdal was arrested at 9:18 a.m. at his White College residence on a charge of 2nd degree stalking.
    According to Kentucky statutes listed on WomensLaw.org, stalking in the 2nd degree is a Class A misdemeanor. It is defined by stalking another person and making “an explicit or implicit threat with the intent to place that person in reasonable fear of sexual contact, physical injury or death.”
    Catherine Sivills, assistant vice president for communications, said via email that Tisdal’s bond was set at $25,000 by the court, and his status as an active student at the University was suspended.
    “The court ordered a mental health evaluation for Mr. Tisdal scheduled within the next week,” Sivills said.
    She said the Murray police were diligent in handling the situation, and the University continues to work with the student victim.
    “We certainly take instances like this extremely seriously and make every effort to communicate directly with the victim and his/her family as to the progress of the investigation,” she said.
    DeVoss emphasized the importance of notifying authorities of any kind of potential threat.
    “Victims of harassment should contact Public Safety immediately and allow us the opportunity to assist with the situation,” he said. “Reporting an incident may allow University officials to intervene and prevent an escalation of unacceptable behavior.”
    DeVoss said there are numerous forms of support and assistance on campus.
    “The Housing staff, office of Student Affairs, Counseling and Testing Center and the Women’s Center are well-prepared to assist students in need,” he said. “As another consideration, friends often refer or accompany a student in crisis to one of the aforementioned offices on campus to lend support.”
    The Women’s Center Web site has several resources for students in crisis, including phone numbers to all offices mentioned by DeVoss. Visit murraystate.edu/womenscenter for more information.
    Contact Akers at crystal.akers@murraystate. edu.