Fired Fort Collins cop pleads guilty to stalking

A fired Fort Collins police officer on Friday pleaded guilty to using agency resources to stalk a woman.

Jarrett Branson is scheduled to be sentenced April 24 for felony stalking and two misdemeanor offenses. He could face up to three years in prison on the felony charge.

An unidentified Fort Collins woman on Sept. 9 reported Branson’s alleged “inappropriate behavior” to Fort Collins Police Services, prompting a criminal investigation. Police previously said Branson, who joined the agency early in 2014 and was still in a probationary period, used agency resources to learn where the woman worked and lived, and then contacted her several times at both locations while he was on duty.

Branson was fired immediately when the Larimer County District Attorney’s Office charged him with stalking, first-degree criminal trespass and official misconduct. He was arrested Sept. 16.

After a series of court appearances and delays through late 2014, Branson on Friday pleaded guilty to stalking, a class-five felony, official misconduct, a class-two misdemeanor, and sexual contact without consent, a first-degree misdemeanor.

He posted his $10,000 bond the day after being arrested and remains out of custody.

Reporter Jason Pohl covers breaking news and courts for the Coloradoan. Follow him on Twitter: @pohl_jason.