Man accused of stalking philanthropist faces new charge

Robin Chiswell, 60, was arrested in November on a felony stalking charge, accused of sending a woman several threatening messages and following her for at least nine months in 2018, court records show. Robin Chiswell, 60, was arrested in November on a felony stalking charge, accused of sending a woman several threatening messages and following her for at least nine months in 2018, court records show. Photo: Houston Police Department Photo: Houston Police Department Image 1 of / 8 Caption Close Man accused of stalking philanthropist faces new charge 1 / 8 Back to Gallery

A man who authorities said stalked Houston philanthropist Carolyn Farb for decades now faces an additional charge, accused of sending threatening letters to a Tanglewood resident over 12 years, according to court records.

Robin Chiswell, 60, was charged on Wednesday with stalking, accused of sending threatening letters to the Tanglewood woman from 2006 to 2018. The first stalking charge against Chiswell came in November, when authorities said he had been sending threatening letters to Farb for over 30 years.

The new charge comes after law enforcement authorities pleaded two weeks ago at a news conference for any other victims to come forward, believing there were more. Farb also encouraged others to come forward.

The Tanglewood woman feared death and felt harassed, according to court records.

She could not be reached for comment.

Chiswell's attorney said allegations against his client do not include "making face-to-face threats."

"Never (has there) been a claim of imminent fear by this gentleman," Val Zuniga said.

Houston Police have not responded to a request for comment. Harris County District Attorney's office spokesman Dane Schiller said Thursday the department had no new additional information about the case.

Police have said they believe that Chiswell has targeted other socialites and philanthropists living in the Tanglewood and River Oaks areas.

Farb had made several police reports during the years she received letters. Police said at the news conference Jan. 11 that Farb feared for her life because Chiswell knew where she lived.

Investigators began again in February 2018 to try and determine who was sending the letters. They worked with the U.S. postal inspectors and eventually identified Chiswell as the prime suspect.

Detectives researched and surveilled Chiswell and interviewed neighbors, church members, past co-workers, past employers and family members. They eventually arrested him in November.

Former Texas A&M University coach Kevin Sumlin also received a harassing letter from Chiswell in 2017, police said.

The Tanglewood woman told KPRC in 2014 that her house was broken into by a man during the night and he escaped.

Then, a man smashed the glass of a backyard door and entered her home, according to KPRC. He then yelled "I'm a thief" before taking off.

Zuniga said a prosecutor working the case told him that the 2014 break-in is not related to his client.

Chiswell is in the Harris County Jail with his bail set at $2,500 for Thursday's stalking charge. His November charge has his bail set at $250,000

The first court appearance for Chiswell for the second stalking charge is Friday.