Utah Court Upholds Stalking Injunction Against Neighbor

The ruling bars a man from entering his neighbor's land for three years following repeated property disputes.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Property Crime

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a single fence post on an arid plain, symbolizing a rigid legal boundary. — The Utah Court of Appeals has upheld a three-year stalking injunction against a man following repeated property disputes and unauthorized land clearing. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you believe court-ordered injunctions are an appropriate way to resolve long-standing property disputes between neighbors?

The Utah Court of Appeals upheld a stalking injunction in May 2026 against a man who repeatedly trespassed on his neighbor's property to clear land. The decision follows a series of confrontations between the parties involving heavy machinery.

Why it matters

The injunction was granted to ensure the safety of the victims after repeated unauthorized property entries and aggressive behavior. The court sought to mitigate escalating tensions between the neighbors that reached a physical confrontation.

The Utah Court of Appeals issued a binding stalking injunction that prohibits the defendant from entering the victim's property for a period of 3 years. A separate civil lawsuit regarding the underlying land easement remains pending in the court system.

The players

Matthew LeFevre

He is the man subject to the court-ordered stalking injunction following repeated property disputes.

Eric Hasemeyer

He is the property owner who sought legal protection against his neighbor.

Utah Court of Appeals

This is the state judicial body that reviewed the lower court's decision and upheld the stalking injunction.

The details

Matthew LeFevre used a tractor to remove mature trees and shrubs from Eric Hasemeyer's property, claiming a historic easement allowed him to build a road. The court weighed evidence from three confrontations occurring between October 2024 and February 2025, including an incident where LeFevre allegedly drove his tractor toward Hasemeyer's wife.

October 2024: LeFevre first used a tractor to destroy trees on the neighbor's property.
November 7, 2024: LeFevre returned to clear additional trees and grade the land.
February 26, 2025: LeFevre drove his tractor toward Hasemeyer's wife during a confrontation.
March 10, 2025: LeFevre requested an evidentiary hearing regarding the injunction.
May 2026: The Utah Court of Appeals upheld the stalking injunction.

Legal Context

This case highlights the use of the Utah civil stalking injunction statute as a mechanism to address escalating neighbor disputes. The ruling underscores how courts balance private property claims against the protection of residents from intimidation and safety threats.

Residents in Southern Utah involved in property disputes should be aware that unauthorized use of machinery on contested land can lead to legal interventions such as stalking injunctions. The court's ruling establishes clear boundaries for non-violent but aggressive conduct between neighbors.

The takeaway

This case demonstrates that legal recourse is available for those facing repeated harassment or aggressive behavior on their private land. Individuals involved in easement disputes should pursue resolution through formal title litigation rather than resorting to physical confrontation.