Man Sentenced to 2 Months Following Trial for Stalking Ex-Girlfriend

NORFOLK, Va. – Christopher Lee Waite, 38, was convicted at trial on Tuesday, July 2, of misdemeanor stalking and sentenced to serve two months in jail for trespassing at his ex-girlfriend’s residence numerous times following their breakup last year.

On multiple occasions between Sept. 20 and Oct. 2, 2023, the victim found Mr. Waite either inside their formerly shared residence waiting for her or making his presence known outside the residence as he sat in his vehicle. The victim and Mr. Waite had broken up in August, Mr. Waite was no longer living in or welcome at the residence, and the victim had gotten a protective order that forbade Mr. Waite from being around her or on her property. Having previously lived there, Mr. Waite knew of a vulnerable point of entry to the home and took advantage of that knowledge to let himself in when the victim was not home.

In early October, the victim reported Mr. Waite to Norfolk Police, and officers assisted her in securing a warrant against Mr. Waite for stalking, violating a protective order, and destruction of property – all misdemeanors under Virginia law. Mr. Waite pleaded not guilty to those charges in Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court and was found guilty following a trial by judge of stalking and destruction of property.

Mr. Waite appealed his two convictions to Norfolk Circuit Court, pleaded not guilty, and requested another trial by judge. On Tuesday, Judge Jamilah D. Le Cruise found Mr. Waite guilty of stalking and sentenced him to serve two months in jail with another 10 months suspended on the condition that he be of uniform good behavior for the next year.

“Mr. Waite engaged in frightening and dangerous behavior against his victim,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “Stalking, violating a protective order, and trespassing are misdemeanors for which the General Assembly provides no financial support to Virginia prosecutors. This lack of support endangers victims and disadvantages victims and the accused. That is why I have long advocated for a change to Virginia law that would assign a prosecutor to every misdemeanor case in Virginia. I will continue to advocate for this important service to victims and justice.”

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Victoria V. Kapper prosecuted Mr. Waite’s case on behalf of the Commonwealth.

###