A Grants Pass man has been sentenced after pleading guilty to charges related to the stalking and harassment of University of Connecticut (UConn) basketball player Paige Bueckers. Robert Cole Parmelee, 40, was arrested earlier this year for repeatedly pursuing the prominent athlete across state lines, and his actions have raised serious concerns about personal safety and the boundaries of celebrity fan behavior.
Parmelee, who was arrested near Bradley International Airport in Connecticut in August, received a one-year suspended sentence and three years of probation after pleading guilty to second-degree stalking. During his arrest, authorities discovered disturbing items in his possession, including an engagement ring and lingerie, which he had reportedly brought with the intent of proposing to Bueckers.
Before his arrest, Parmelee told a state trooper that he had traveled to Connecticut specifically to meet Bueckers, a claim that raised alarms. It was soon revealed that Parmelee had been involved in troubling behavior long before his arrest. Police reports indicate that he had been active on social media, particularly TikTok, where he posted several messages about Bueckers. Additionally, Parmelee had sent multiple emails to UConn staff members starting in June, expressing his desire to marry the basketball star.
This case is not the first time Parmelee has been in trouble with the law. Prior to his trip to Connecticut, he was wanted in Josephine County, Oregon, for allegedly starting a house fire that endangered the lives of both people and pets inside. The presence of an outstanding warrant for his arrest in Oregon led to his detention by Connecticut State Police.
While Bueckers, a standout player for UConn, has garnered significant media attention for her basketball skills, this case highlights the darker side of fame and the extreme lengths some individuals are willing to go to in pursuit of their obsession with public figures. Stalking charges such as those faced by Parmelee are taken seriously by law enforcement, and this case serves as a reminder of the potential risks that celebrities, athletes, and public figures can face from obsessive fans.
At his sentencing in Rockville, Connecticut, Parmelee’s defense noted his struggles with mental health, which may have contributed to his erratic behavior. Despite these claims, the court maintained that Parmelee’s actions were not acceptable and that he would be required to comply with a strict probationary period following his release.
The case has drawn attention to the growing issue of celebrity harassment, where social media platforms and other digital channels provide avenues for obsessive behavior to manifest in real life. While Bueckers has yet to publicly comment on the incident, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of addressing mental health concerns while ensuring the safety and privacy of individuals, regardless of their public status.
