The head of an East Windsor technology company will have to pay a North Carolina woman $1,800 after she accused him of online harassment, a Plainsboro/Cranbury Municipal Court judge has decided.

Robert Smithers, of Cranbury, will be able to avoid a long trial on criminal stalking and harassment charges by paying the fines and pleading guilty to a downgraded offense, the man’s attorney said today.

Smithers was charged on March 7 with two disorderly persons charges of stalking and harassment for allegedly sending threatening e-mails and online messages to a North Carolina woman last year who he met on a website for people with sexual fetishes.

Smithers is the president and CEO of Miercom, which tests, reviews and analyzes technology products.

In court this week, Smithers and his attorney Seth Kurs made an agreement with the municipal prosecutor that he would admit to the violation of a nuisance ordinance, a charge even lower than a petty disorderly persons offense, and the criminal charges would be dropped.

“My client elected to plea,” Kurs said. “We were anticipating four days of trial if we had to go forward with the trial.”

Beth Harrison, the woman who brought the alleged harassment to the attention of the Cranbury Township Police who subsequently investigated and charged Smithers, made the trip up to New Jersey for the hearing.

Harrison said while the penalty was not what she was hoping for, she is thankful that some action was taken against the man who she said has caused her to panic and fear for her life on occasion.

“I am happy, yes,” Harrison said. “It is not exactly what we wanted. At the same time, he is now on the police and the prosecutor’s radar.”

Harrison claims that she and Smithers were members of a website for people with sexual fetishes where they initially exchanged friendly conversation. She said later she blocked Smithers’ access to her on the site and he obtained her personal e-mail and began sending her messages. She said the messages grew increasingly more hostile and she became afraid he would come to her house.

Smithers continues to deny the allegations made by Harrison, Kurs said.

“He is certainly saying he is not guilty of anything that she alleged,” Kurs said.

Harrison said Judge Edward Herman ordered Smithers to pay her $1,800 in restitution for her travel expenses to New Jersey as well as a $1,000 fine to the municipality. Kurs declined to comment whether there were any fines levied on Smithers.

Harrison said Smithers also had to read a public apology to her during the hearing.

"When he turned to me and started reading the apology I didn't even look at him," Harrision said. "It was not sincere in the least."

Herman also said neither Harrison nor Smithers are allowed to contact each other.

Harrison has previously said after the conclusion of criminal proceedings she would pursue a lawsuit against Smithers. No such suit has been filed.

Contact Jenna Pizzi at jpizzi@njtimes.com or (609) 989-5717.

Editor's Note: This story has been updated to reflect new information obtained this morning, clarifying that Smithers pleaded guilty to violating a local nuisance ordinance.

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