- Dean Smith
GPS Tracking Leads to Stalking Conviction
The debate continues about the legality of GPS tracking systems, and for good reason. A Sioux City, Iowa man, 25, decided to place a GPS tracking system in his estranged wife’s vehicle, with the intent to cause harm according to KCCI.com, a Des Moines, Iowa news station.
Unbeknownst to Ralph Rogers’ wife, the system was placed in her car before she took off. Investigators reported that once the device revealed that she had stopped in a residential area in South Sioux City, Nebraska, which, conveniently, is approximately a 5 mile distance from Sioux City, Iowa. Rogers went to confront her with his handgun in tow.
Upon arrival, Rogers invaded the home, assaulted a person while inside, and kidnapped his unwilling wife back to his house.
Ralph Rogers was charged with kidnapping, two weapons charges, and interstate stalking. He was ultimately convicted of interstate stalking and one of the weapons charges, with a sentencing pending.
There is a fine line between what is considered private vs. public. But when these devices are used to track and, in due course, cause harm to another person, where must this line be drawn?
Investigators at ICU Investigations are trained to detect, locate, and remove tracking devices to ensure the safety of others and to guarantee that the reasonable expectations of privacy are met.