Woman Paid Thousands for Ex-Husband’s GPS Monitoring

A Tennessee woman personally covered monitoring fees after state funds were denied in her protection case.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Divorce

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a heavy courthouse facade, representing the institutional hurdles faced by victims of domestic violence. — Gina Ehsani has spent over $16,000 on GPS monitoring for her ex-husband after the state of Tennessee denied funding for the protective device. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should the state fund GPS monitoring for protection orders when defendants cannot pay?

Gina Ehsani has spent over $16,000 to maintain a GPS monitoring device for her ex-husband, Pejhman Ehsani, after the state refused to fund the security measure. Pejhman Ehsani has since pleaded guilty to four counts of violating an order of protection.

Why it matters

The case highlights the financial burden placed on domestic violence victims when the state deems defendants ineligible for the electronic monitoring indigency fund. This gap forces victims to personally pay for their own protection or risk losing proximity alerts.

Gina Ehsani pays $330 monthly for a system that alerts her if her ex-husband enters a 1,000-foot radius. The defendant now faces up to three years in prison following his guilty plea for violating court-ordered protections.

The players

Gina Ehsani

She is the victim who obtained an order of protection and personally funded her ex-husband's GPS monitoring.

Pejhman Ehsani

He is the defendant who filed for divorce and pleaded guilty to four counts of violating an order of protection.

Tennessee General Assembly

This state legislative body established the rules rendering certain defendants ineligible for the electronic monitoring indigency fund.

The details

The victim funded the tracking system after Tennessee lawmakers clarified that defendants are ineligible for the state's indigency fund for electronic monitoring. Her ex-husband, Pejhman Ehsani, allegedly threatened staff at a previous monitoring firm during the legal proceedings.

April 21, 2020: Pejhman Ehsani filed for divorce.
June 15, 2020: Gina Ehsani obtained an initial order of protection.
June and July 2021: Alleged violations of the protection order occurred.
March and April 2022: Additional alleged violations of the protection order occurred.
June 2024: Another alleged violation of the protection order took place.

Culture Shift

This situation reflects a broader tension between state-level fiscal policy and the practical safety requirements for domestic violence survivors. The reliance on the Debbie and Marie Domestic Violence Protection Act shows how legislative hurdles directly impact individual safety measures.

Victims of domestic violence in Tennessee may now be required to cover their own electronic monitoring costs if their case falls under current legislative restrictions. This creates a significant financial barrier for those seeking to maintain proximity alerts for their safety.

The takeaway

This case illustrates the critical financial obstacles that arise when state support for protective technology is curtailed. Victims should consult with local legal aid organizations to understand their specific rights and the current state funding limitations for safety devices.