Man Admits Guilt in Stalking Case Involving UConn Basketball Star Paige Bueckers

December 19, 2024 TruthUSA

ROCKVILLE, Conn.—A man charged with stalking and harassing UConn basketball player Paige Bueckers, who expressed his intent to marry her on social media, entered a guilty plea to a stalking charge on Wednesday.

Robert Cole Parmalee, 40, was found in possession of an engagement ring and lingerie when he was initially detained in August. On Wednesday, he was given a one-year suspended sentence along with three years of probation, as reported by a court clerk.

Initially facing multiple charges including stalking, breach of peace, and harassment, Parmalee ultimately pleaded to a single count of second-degree stalking, according to the clerk. A request for comment was sent to his public defender via email.

Parmalee, whose most recent residences were in Grants Pass, Oregon, and Ritzville, Washington, was arrested on August 27 while he was walking along a highway near Bradley International Airport close to Hartford, carrying the engagement ring and lingerie. He informed a state trooper that he had flown in from the Pacific Northwest to meet Bueckers at UConn, as detailed in police reports.

The trooper apprehended Parmalee upon discovering an arrest warrant from Josephine County, Oregon, accusing him of setting fire to a residence with roommates and pets inside, according to police.

Since June, Parmalee had been active on TikTok and other social media platforms posting photos, videos, and comments about Bueckers. He had also emailed UConn officials with lengthy messages expressing his desire to marry her, which, while not initially leading to criminal charges, became increasingly concerning over time, according to police reports.