A Powell man served four months in jail for stalking his ex-girlfriend earlier this year.

Although a judge had ordered him to stay away from the woman, court records say Erik L. Jensen went to her workplace in late January and twice shut off the business’ power because he “wanted to irritate [her].”

The woman had obtained a domestic violence protection order that prohibited Jensen from contacting or coming near her. However, on Jan. 21, while the woman was working at a downtown bar, she reportedly spotted Jensen crouching behind a dumpster outside the establishment. Then on Jan. 22, the bar’s power was shut off at 9 p.m. and again later in the night; the second time the breaker was flipped, the woman spotted Jensen running away from the scene.

Powell police found the 35-year-old outside his nearby residence, apparently intoxicated, and he reportedly confessed. Jensen was arrested and remained in jail through his May 3 sentencing, when he pleaded guilty to one felony of stalking and two misdemeanor counts of violating a protection order.

Following a plea deal, District Court Judge Bill Simpson credited Jensen for the 101 days he’d already served in jail and ordered him to serve 19 more. Jensen completed his time Sunday and was released to begin three years of supervised probation. An 18- to 24-month prison sentence could be imposed if he violates the terms of his probation.

Among other conditions, Jensen must stay away from bars and alcohol, being required to use an electronic portable breath testing unit twice a day. He also cannot contact the woman, being ordered to stay at least 200 feet away from her residence and 100 feet from her workplace. Jensen’s sentencing order initially required him to wear a device that would track his location, but that pricey requirement was dropped in a Friday update to the order.

— By CJ Baker