By VDC staff

A Maidstone assistant town clerk has pleaded not guilty to six charges after authorities say she threatened and stalked a Victory woman whom she suspected of having an affair with her husband, according to a Sept. 15 report by Dana Gray of the Caledonian-Record.

Tammy Haas, 61, is accused of sending death threats, placing metal spikes in the woman’s driveway, posting signs containing her photograph and home address around Essex County, and creating a social media account in her name, the Caledonian-Record reported.

Haas faces a felony charge of stalking with a deadly weapon, along with misdemeanor charges of stalking, unlawful mischief, disorderly conduct, aggravated disorderly conduct and criminal threatening.

She pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Essex Superior Court. Judge Michael Harris imposed no bail but ordered Haas to observe an 8 PM to 4:30 AM curfew, possess no firearms, have no contact with alleged victim Erin Welch, 41, remain at least 300 feet away from her and stay out of the town of Victory, according to the Caledonian-Record.

The investigation began after Essex County Deputy Sheriff Matthew Thomas discovered a sign attached to a utility pole in Canaan on Aug. 9 containing Welch’s photograph, address and profanity. Similar signs reportedly appeared at several locations around Essex County.

The case escalated Aug. 17 when Welch reported a flat tire. Thomas said he found three metal “caltrops” in her driveway — devices designed so that a sharp point faces upward regardless of how they land. Authorities said the devices caused several tire punctures, including damage to all four tires of a neighbor’s Jeep.

Welch also told investigators that someone had created a Facebook page using her name and photograph and posted offensive material inviting people to her home.

Investigators also obtained a series of threatening Instagram messages sent to Welch beginning July 19. The messages included threats to shoot and kill her.

Thomas obtained information from Meta through a search warrant that allegedly identified Haas as the creator of the Instagram account, according to the report. Authorities then obtained a warrant to search the Maidstone home Haas shares with her husband, Scott Haas.

Haas reportedly told Thomas the account must have been hacked and denied it belonged to her.

Scott Haas told investigators his wife suspected he was having an affair with Welch but said there was no affair. Thomas reported finding no communications between Scott Haas and Welch on his phone.

Investigators did, however, find messages allegedly sent by Tammy Haas to her husband concerning her suspicions, including one containing a photograph of a rifle and ammunition. Thomas also reported finding a box of caltrops inside the Haas residence and the rifle pictured in the message inside a vehicle in the driveway.

Haas, who serves as Maidstone’s assistant town clerk, was arrested Friday and jailed overnight. Her husband posted $2,500 bail Saturday. Her arraignment was delayed until Tuesday because a public defender was unavailable Monday.

The allegations have not been proven in court, and Haas is presumed innocent unless convicted.

This report is based on reporting by Dana Gray of the Caledonian-Record.