What Led to the Arrest of a Cheyenne Man for Stalking?

The charges keep piling up against a 34-year-old Cheyenne man accused of stalking his ex-wife.

According to a booking sheet, Damian Michael Ferns was arrested at Pasadena Road and Emerald Drive at 12:07 p.m. on Oct. 5, after running from police and being tased.

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Ferns was booked into the Laramie County Detention Center on three warrants out of Laramie County Circuit Court, including a felony warrant for stalking in violation of a protection order alleged to have occurred on or about the period of June 11 to Sept. 19; a misdemeanor warrant alleging that on or about Sept. 23 he violated a protection order; and a misdemeanor warrant alleging that he was released on bond on June 12 after being charged with a violation of protection order and that he violated the conditions of his bond when he was charged with violation of protection order on Aug. 26.

Ferns was also booked for misdemeanor possession of methamphetamine and misdemeanor interference with a peace officer - no injury.

Warrants

On Oct. 6, Ferns was seen in circuit court in front of Judge TJ Forwood on his warrants.

Ferns, who has attorney Dion Custis hired in his other cases, told Forwood he intended to hire him again.

Forwood then asked the state for recommendation on bond.

"Given this individual's history before this jurisdiction, a continued violation of protective order, the eluding, I believe there've also been allegations of meth ..., stalking, numerous other protective order violation contacts in the past, probations for domestic battery, possession in the past, possession with intent contacts ... the state would ask for a $25,000 cash only bond and no contact with the victim," the state said.

"I'd like a cash or surety," said Ferns. "I have children to support. I have a house to pay for. I do pay her monthly child support every month ... I take care of my children. I go to work. I might have messed up a few times here and there, but I'm not a bad person, and that's a ridiculous amount."

"I put a curfew on you to make sure that you did not harass your ex anymore," said Forwood. "You are messing with her security cameras. You are making her feel unsafe. If anything is ridiculous it is your conduct."

Total Bond Set at $30K Cash

"I think that a $25,000 cash bond is more than fair," Forwood added. "It'll be $25,000 on the felony amount and $5,000 in the separate misdemeanor amount. They will be consecutive to each other."

Ferns' preliminary hearing and an arraignment were then set for Oct. 15 at 2:15 p.m.

More Charges

The following morning, Oct. 7, Ferns was seen in circuit court in front of Judge Antoinette Williams on five misdemeanor charges, including the two he was booked into jail on, a fleeing/eluding charge, and two counts of violation of a protection order alleged to have occurred on Oct. 4 and Oct. 5.

Ferns' arraignment was set for Oct. 15 at 2:15 p.m.

Williams then asked for the state's position regarding bond.

"Frankly, I don't know what difference it'll make to add more bond to these matters," the state said. "I think certainly Mr. Ferns has demonstrated an inability to comply with the lawful orders of this court."

"The active allegations of stalking, the constant violations of a protection order, as well as being found to be in possession of controlled substances, clearly indicate a danger to the protective party in this matter," the state added. "The state believes that a cash bond is appropriate but would defer to the court on the amount."

"The court will just run the $5,000 concurrent on all of the misdemeanor cases," Williams said.

Another Charge

Ferns was back in front of Williams on Wednesday morning, this time on a misdemeanor charge alleging on or about Oct. 1 he violated a protection order.

His arraignment was set for Oct. 15 at 2:15 p.m.

Williams then asked for the state's position regarding bond.

"Mr. Ferns has a number of matters pending before this court," the state said. "I believe I counted seven open violations of protection orders with two different victims. Some of those protection order cases, he does have failure to complies on the bond conditions."

"The state has concern for the safety of the victims in these matters as well as extensive concern for his ability to comply with court orders given the number of new charges he has obtained while on bond," the state added. "The state would ask for $5,000 on this docket as well."

"Your bond is $5,000," said Williams. "It's just going to run concurrently with all your other misdemeanors."

Please remember that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.