Madison Man Sentenced for Stalking and Extortion

MADISON — Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced today that James D. Hills appeared before Dane County Circuit Court Judge Stephen E. Ehlke on November 10, 2011, for sentencing on his convictions for stalking and extortion. Judge Ehlke sentenced Hills, on both counts, to an imposed and stayed sentence of three years of imprisonment in the Wisconsin State Prison System and placed the defendant on three years of probation with the following conditions: psychological evaluation and treatment; alcohol and other drug assessment and treatment; no contact with numerous individuals; one hundred hours of community service; and submission of a DNA sample. The court granted four days of jail credit for time spent in pre-trial incarceration.

At trial, the State proved that James D. Hills became upset after being convicted for a disorderly conduct municipal ticket. For the next 10 months, Hills engaged in stalking behavior, which included frightening and threatening phone calls and letters directed toward the assistant city attorney who prosecuted the case. Hills also sent the prosecutor a letter demanding to get his case dismissed, that he be paid $429, and that a letter of apology be written to him. These demands were followed with a threat of harm if the prosecutor did not comply.

This matter was investigated by the City of Madison Police Department. The Department of Justice Office of Crime Victim Services provided victim services in this case. Assistant Attorney General Eric D. Défort represented the State of Wisconsin in this prosecution.