All he wanted was a Pepsi.
A Missouri man has been accused of first-degree stalking for allegedly harassing a woman by trying to enter her bedroom, intent on getting a Pepsi.
The soda “jerk” was later identified as Brian Champagne, 47, a resident of Seymour.
Documents shared with Luxury Handbag Shopping claim that Champagne’s victim had called police just before 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 28, asking for assistance.
Authorities showed up at the Mountain Grover abode soon after and met with the victim, who provided law enforcement with a video that allegedly showed Champagne trying to force his way into her bedroom.
In the video, Champagne is allegedly heard demanding the soft drink by name. The woman’s video also allegedly showed Champagne trying to start a physical fight with her son.
The victim’s video also allegedly caught Champagne repeatedly threatening to “beat” the son’s head in and kill him. However, the woman said there was no altercation as the two never made contact after she was reportedly able to separate the men.
After the alleged confrontation, both parties went back to their separate areas of the home, according to a police statement.
Eventually, the victim said that she allowed Champagne’s mother to enter her room to retrieve a refreshing Pepsi.
It was unclear from the court documents how Champagne and the victim knew each other or why they were seemingly sharing a residence. The statement did not indicate how old the victim’s son is and did not explain why Champagne’s mother was present.
When the officers first arrived, they tried talking to Champagne, who was described in a statement as uncooperative and argumentative. Champagne allegedly kept asking the police as they questioned him why they were being so “rude” to him and why he was being treated as a “criminal.”
After reviewing the footage and speaking to all of those involved, cops determined Champagne was the primary aggressor. As they were telling Champagne he was going to be arrested, Champagne allegedly got out of the chair and went outside to the garage, with the officers warning him that if he did not return to the house, he was going to jail.
The statement noted Champagne did not return as ordered.
Champagne was detained by police and transported to the Wright County Jail. He remains there on a $5,000 bond.
Champagne is set to appear for a pre-trial hearing scheduled for Monday, February 2.
In Missouri, stalking is defined as a pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that serves no legitimate purpose and would cause a reasonable person to feel frightened, intimidated, or emotionally distressed. This conduct must involve two or more distressing acts over a period of time, which can include behaviors such as following someone, making unwanted communications, or using electronic means to track or harass a victim.
Convictions can result in sentences of one year in county jail and a fine of up to $2,000. Victims can also seek orders of protection to legally prevent the stalker from contacting or approaching them.
