Cross-country stalking suspect arrested again

A 20-year-old New York man suspected of stalking a 15-year-old Spokane girl was arrested again today after police determined he had been trying to contact the teenager at her high school.

Joshua R. Stetar was taken into custody about 1:30 p.m. today during a traffic stop near the intersection of Trent Avenue and Hamilton Street, Spokane police Cpl. Jon Strickland said.

The Saratoga Springs, N.Y., man was first arrested Dec. 29 after police say he traveled across the country to Spokane, went past the girl’s house and threatened in a text message to rape her and a visiting 6-year-old cousin he thought was the girl’s sister. He claims to have met the girl through an interactive video game.

Stetar was released from the Spokane County Jail after posting $10,000 bail, Strickland said. Stetar remained in Spokane while deputy prosecutor Kelly Fitzgerald was working on paperwork to formally charge him, Strickland said, telling police he was staying at the Union Gospel Mission.

When police learned Stetar was allegedly trying to contact the victim, they contacted Fitzgerald and she ordered him booked into jail pending charges of felony communication with a minor for immoral purposes, misdemeanor stalking and misdemeanor harassment, Strickland said.

“With the information we developed today, he needed to be in custody,” Strickland said.

Stetar’s first appearance could be as early as today, Strickland said. His bail is set at $100,000.

Police ask anyone who has seen Stetar in the area of Ferris High School to please contact them at (509) 242-TIPS.