DALLAS, Texas (KTVT) – Ian Smith of Plano is out of jail after being behind bars for the eighth time, accused of stalking and harassing several female students at Southern Methodist University.

Last week, the 23-year-old was charged with felony harassment. Police records say he “repeatedly contacted a female student, directly interfering with her life via social media, including video calling her.”

Police said the harassment “made her fear for her well-being and safety.”

Court records show Smith was charged with a similar crime in March and several other incidents since 2021, racking up charges including stalking and threatening students, online impersonation and a third-degree felony obstruction/retaliation. Legal experts they said these types of crimes often depend on people reporting them and “are more serious than you think”.

“So a person who is harassing, if not stopped, goes on to stalk. If (the person) is allowed to have contact with that person, it could lead to an attack,” said defense attorney Philip Linder.

Linder said Smith’s case is an example of the legal system taking time to get Smith off the streets.

“The system works at some level because he’s being prosecuted and he’s going to jail, which is what you want. What will determine whether it continues to work is whether they escalate the punishment next time,” Linder said.

He said someone like Smith can commit multiple crimes with little time behind bars, but since he’s already been charged with one crime, a second or third could lead to 25 years to life in prison.

Linder also believes there may be more victims who need to come forward.

“It’s serial and it’s a problem. That’s why this case is a little scary that he’s done this so many times over a few years,” Lender said.

SMU police declined to speak to CBS News Texas because of the active investigation, but said Smith is not a student at SMU. CBS News Texas tried to find contact information for Smith and has not yet been able to locate or reach him for comment. CBS News Texas has also reached out to the Dallas County District Attorney for comment on the case and is awaiting a response.

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