Convicted stalker from Plano accused of harassing more SMU female students
Ian Smith (Dallas County jail)
DALLAS - A convicted stalker from Plano man who previously harassed and threatened Southern Methodist University students was arrested again for allegedly doing the same thing.
Ian Smith, 23, has never been enrolled at SMU but has targeted multiple female students since 2021.
Smith served prison time and was released earlier this year, but police say that didn’t deter him from doing it again.
Smith was arrested last week for harassment with a previous conviction, which is a misdemeanor charge.
On October 17, an SMU student reported Smith was repeatedly reaching out to her through Instagram messaging and video calling. The student said Smith found her on Snapchat as well.
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An SMU detective called Smith and told him to stop. However, Smith continued contacting her for the next two days.
SMU police say Smith has had a pattern of tracking and monitoring his victims since 2021.
In the past three years, the 23-year-old has been charged and convicted of harassment, stalking, obstruction or retaliation and online impersonation.
Shortly after completing his prison sentence earlier this year, Smith was accused of harassing a female SMU student in March.
While out on bond for that charge, he was booked into the Dallas County jail last Thursday for allegedly harassing another SMU student in this most recent case.
Attorney Russell Wilson is not involved in the case. He explains the difference between harassment and stalking.
"The distinction between stalking and harassment can involve the degree of threat involved," he said. "Harassment is, let’s say, a notch above what we would generally not criminalize or what we would call annoying. Stalking usually involves more of a direct threat to harm the person, harm the property or things like that."
Smith was released from the Dallas County jail Tuesday after posting a $10,000 bond.
SMU police did not make anyone available for an interview due to the active investigation, only saying Smith is banned from being on campus.
Nearby Highland Park police say they are also aware of Smith and have received a ‘Be On The Lookout’ for him.