Man Accused of Stalking Taylor Swift Cleared of Charges – Shocking Twist Unveiled
LaPorte County prosecutors have decided to drop charges against Mitchell Taebel, a Long Beach man who was accused of sending violent messages to Taylor Swift, tracking her to her Nashville home, and ultimately resulting in her getting a restraining order against him.
Taebel, 36, of Long Beach, Indiana, was initially charged with stalking, intimidation, misdemeanor invasion of privacy, and misdemeanor harassment on May 31. However, prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss the charges without prejudice on Monday, which means they still have the option to refile the charges at a later date.
After posting a $750 bond, Taebel was released from the LaPorte County Jail on Thursday, according to court records. Despite his release, Taebel is still facing stalking and harassment charges by phone and computer in a separate case filed in June in LaPorte County.
In the case involving Taylor Swift, Taebel was accused of sending disturbing and threatening messages to her management company, her father, and Swift’s official social media accounts from March 25 to May 18.
On March 29, Taebel posted a voice message on Instagram, allegedly sent to Swift’s official account, in which he threatened to wear a bomb if he couldn’t be with his “soul mate.” The following day, he reached out to Swift’s father claiming to be her soulmate and expressing his desire to join them that night.
According to court documents, Taebel also contacted several governor’s offices where Swift was touring, stating that he was incorporating his “Presidential” campaign into her tour. Additionally, he left numerous messages at her management company, insisting that she should appreciate him and that he would have increased assets after proposing to her.
Despite being denied a petition to lower his bond due to his criminal history, being a moderate risk to reoffend, a flight risk, and a danger to the community, Taebel continued his erratic behavior. He expressed his delusion that he and Taylor Swift would be married, with him becoming President and her being his First Lady.
On April 29, Taebel made a disturbing statement suggesting Swift should be shot between the legs to learn self-respect. He then attempted to gain access to a Nashville luxury condominium complex where Swift owns a penthouse on May 5, entering through an unlocked door before being stopped by security.
Despite being on a security watch list that night at Swift’s Nissan Stadium concert, Taebel managed to get inside before being recognized and eventually kicked out. The management company’s lawyers in Nashville successfully petitioned for a temporary restraining order on May 11, which was extended on May 24, prohibiting Taebel from contacting Swift.
However, Taebel continued to violate the restraining order by posting social media clips tagging Swift, resulting in the triggering of stalking charges against him. Accounts on Instagram and YouTube with Taebel’s name reference his desire to marry Taylor Swift, although their authenticity could not be independently verified by the Post-Tribune.
The case involving Taebel and Taylor Swift highlights the serious consequences of stalking and harassment, emphasizing the importance of taking legal action to protect individuals from such threatening behavior. As the legal proceedings continue, Taylor Swift’s safety and well-being remain a top priority.
