‘Keep an eye out’: Man who stalked Tonganoxie family after tractor sale sentenced
A Leavenworth County judge handed a Merriam man jail time Wednesday after he stalked a Tonganoxie couple, sending them threatening messages following the sale of a tractor through Facebook Marketplace.
Matthew Nelson, 50, pleaded guilty to one count of stalking in Leavenworth County court on March 27, according to a news release from Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson.
On Wednesday, a judge sentenced Nelson to 60 days in the Leavenworth County jail followed by one year of supervised probation, Thompson said. Additionally, Nelson will be required to “complete intensive anger management” and “undergo a substance abuse evaluation.”
According to the release, a Leavenworth County deputy was called to a home in Tonganoxie on Aug. 27, 2025, where a woman said “she feared for her safety and the safety of her children due to messages her husband received from Nelson.”
The man sold Nelson a tractor through Facebook Marketplace, the news release said. He disclosed faults in the tractor with Nelson before the sale.
Court documents said Nelson began sending the man “increasingly severe messages” after the sale, which included, “I guess now I spend money making you sorry you sold me this mower. Enjoy the next three months of your life. What we do in life has real consequences,” and “I’ll see you soon,” “Revenge is a dish best served cold,” and “Keep an eye out.”
Nelson also sent an image of the victim’s Facebook profile picture with a “yellow crosshair drawn over it,” Thompson said. Nelson also sent images of the victims’ children.
Communication between Nelson and the victims ceased after a victim told Nelson to stop contacting the family, according to the news release.
