A Texas man accused of threatening to harm Taylor Swift was hit with federal crimes in Nashville on Wednesday.
Eric Swarbrick, 26, was charged with interstate stalking and sending interstate communications with the intent to threaten.
Swift took out a restraining order against Swarbrick after her record label Big Machine Music Group began receiving threatening communications from Swarbrick in January.
According to the complaint, Swarbrick sent a letter asking Big Machine CEO Scott Borchetta to introduce him to Swift. He said in the letter he had wandered around the Big Machine office.
The letters became increasingly violent, according to the complaint, including threats to rape and kill her. Swarbrick sent over 40 letters, according to the complaint.
“Too often, we have seen the consequences of ignoring signs of escalating violent behavior by some individuals,” said U.S. Attorney Cochran. “The attention given to this matter by our law enforcement partners and the resulting federal charges we have brought should serve to prevent a future tragic event.”
Swarbrick drove from Texas and hand-delivered letters to Big Machine as recently as Aug. 2 when he was arrested by Nashville police. He continued to write threatening letters after he was released, according to the complaint.
Swarbrick also threatened to kill himself in front of Borchetta and the label's staff.
Swarbrick is being detained in Texas and will be transferred to the Nashville in the future, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. If convicted, Swarbrick faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count.
Reach Nate Rau at 615-259-8094 and nrau@tennessean.com. Follow him on Twitter @tnnaterau.