Case Insights
- Swift Obtains Court Protection
Pop superstar Taylor Swift successfully secured a restraining order after a Colorado man, recently released from prison, repeatedly stalked her Los Angeles home claiming they share a child. - Security Threats and False Claims
The alleged stalker changed his address with the DMV to Swift’s home, appeared five times at her property, and made threatening gestures—including brandishing a glass bottle. - Legal and Personal Fallout Looms
The restraining order is in effect until a June 30 court hearing, highlighting the ongoing risks celebrities face and the evolving landscape of stalking laws in California.
By Samuel Lopez – USA Herald
LOS ANGELES, CA – Taylor Swift, the world’s highest-profile pop star, is no stranger to obsessive fans—but her latest ordeal is one for the legal record books. This week, Swift filed a formal restraining order in Los Angeles Superior Court against 45-year-old Brian Jason Wagner, a former Colorado inmate who she alleges has stalked and threatened her with increasing boldness over the past year. Wagner’s conduct escalated so alarmingly that Swift’s legal team and private security were forced to take immediate action—underscoring the persistent dangers that celebrities face, even in the sanctuary of their own homes.
According to court filings reviewed by USA Herald, Wagner’s stalking campaign began with fan mail sent from behind bars—letters full of delusions about a non-existent romantic relationship and, later, claims that the pair share a child. While Swift never replied, her security team grew increasingly concerned as the content of Wagner’s communications became more erratic.
That concern proved prescient. Over the last twelve months, Wagner allegedly made five unauthorized visits to Swift’s private L.A. residence. On three occasions in July 2024, he brazenly approached the property’s gates, once wielding a glass bottle in a manner Swift described as “threatening.” In every instance, Wagner insisted he had a right to see Swift, claiming a romantic partnership and even paternity of a child—fantasies that have no basis in fact.
“I have no relationship with Mr. Wagner and have never met or communicated with him,” Swift swore in a declaration attached to her restraining order petition. “There is absolutely no legitimate reason for him to be attempting to contact me or my staff, to approach my home, or to make representations that he lives there.”
The situation turned even more bizarre—and legally complex—when Swift’s team discovered that Wagner had fraudulently changed the address on his driver’s license to match Swift’s Los Angeles residence. The move, which appears intended to reinforce Wagner’s false claims of a relationship, raised serious questions about the security of public records and the ability of stalkers to exploit bureaucratic vulnerabilities.
Swift’s declaration captured her growing alarm:
“I do not share publicly where I reside and have never shared my address or the location of my Los Angeles residence with Mr. Wagner. Therefore, the fact that Mr. Wagner has determined where I reside and visited the property several times, refusing to leave and claiming to need access, makes me fear for my safety and the safety of my family.”
Swift’s attorneys filed their emergency restraining order in the Superior Court of California, Los Angeles County. The Judge signed an immediate, temporary restraining order (TRO) compelling Wagner to remain at least 100 yards away from Swift, her home, vehicle, and place of work. The order remains in effect pending a full court hearing scheduled for June 30.
California has some of the nation’s strongest anti-stalking laws, codified at California Penal Code §646.9 and robust civil protective order statutes. Under these statutes, a victim can seek a TRO without notice to the alleged harasser if there is evidence of a credible threat or pattern of unwanted contact. Swift’s case appears to fit both criteria.
Wagner’s actions also implicate potential criminal violations—among them, trespassing (Penal Code §602), making criminal threats (Penal Code §422), and possible fraud or perjury for misrepresenting his address to the DMV. Law enforcement sources told USA Herald that while the restraining order is civil, criminal charges could be filed if Wagner violates the order or if further investigation substantiates the threats and fraudulent DMV filings.
With the next hearing set for June 30 in Los Angeles, all eyes will be on whether the court grants Swift a permanent restraining order and if Wagner faces additional legal consequences. For Swift, the case is about more than personal safety—it’s a battle for autonomy in the face of unwanted intrusion, and a stark reminder of the challenges celebrities face offstage.
Legal analysts predict that this case could drive new calls for reform, especially around how government agencies handle address changes and protect personal data. It’s a reminder that, even as California leads in protective laws, determined individuals can exploit systemic loopholes—with sometimes terrifying consequences.
For the millions of Swifties around the world—and for anyone concerned about privacy and security—the outcome of this case could set important precedents.
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