Indiana man accused of stalking, harassing Taylor Swift
LA PORTE COUNTY, Ind. - A Long Beach, Indiana, man was arrested after allegedly stalking singer Taylor Swift and violating a protection order put in place against him, according to the probable cause affidavit.
Mitchell Taebel, 36, was arrested for stalking, intimidation, invasion of privacy and harassment.
According to court documents, Taebel began harassing Swift and her team in March, sending them social media messages threatening to “destroy” them, as well as sending pictures of weapons.
On March 29, Taebel sent a voice message to Swift’s Instagram account saying he would “happily wear a bomb if he cannot be with his soul mate,” according to reports.
The next day, he allegedly sent a message to Swift’s father saying he’s the only one that can make her secure and that he “hopes to join them tonight.”
In early April, Taebel sent threatening messages to one of Swift’s dancers using fake Instagram accounts, reports said.
Taebel also allegedly contacted several government offices saying he would be making his presidential campaign part of the Eras tour.
In early May, Taebel traveled to a luxury complex in Nashville and posed as a TV host in order to meet Swift, police said.
Later that evening, he went to Swift’s concert at Nissan Stadium. He had a ticket for the concert but allegedly positioned himself close to the performers.
Once he was recognized, he was kicked out of the stadium.
On May 13, Taebel was served a restraining order.
After the restraining order was put in place, however, Taebel continued to harass Swift online, police said.
Taebel is being held by La Porte County authorities.