Telford man sentenced for stalking and threats to police
A former Telford man with a history of encounters with law enforcement will be under court supervision for seven years after he admitted to four crimes in Montgomery County including stalking and an incident during which he called 911 and “threatened to shoot officers on his property.”
Zachary Tyler Maybin, 31, formerly of the unit block of West Central Avenue and most recently of Pottstown, was sentenced in Montgomery County Court to seven years’ probation after he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor drug, terroristic threats, stalking and trespass charges in connection with incidents that occurred between March 2022 and July 2023 in Telford and Towamencin and Salford townships.
“I want to make it very clear to you, if you violate any conditions…you’re going to be facing a long time in prison,” Judge Thomas C. Branca warned Maybin. “I’m giving you a chance. You understand?”
“Yes, your honor,” Maybin responded.
The judge rejected a prosecutor’s argument for jail time for Maybin, explaining that based on presentence reports, Maybin has made “decent strides” in dealing with mental health and substance use challenges he’s faced in the past.
“It’s clear, very clear to me, that the defendant’s actions are fueled by mental health and drug issues,” Branca said.
Maybin, according to testimony, has been sober for more than 190 days and is living at a recovery house in Pottstown, is working fulltime and attending classes through Strayer University.
“He’s immersed himself in a recovery program. He’s doing the work. He’s continuing to do the work. This isn’t lip service. He’s doing it because he’s committed to sobriety. He’s more focused. He knows he has to make up for what has happened,” said defense lawyer Erin Boyle, who ar
gued for probation for Maybin. “He’s doing all the right things. If we take that away, it becomes a step down.”
The judge agreed with Boyle.
“I do not see anything gained by putting the defendant in prison at this point,” said Branca, explaining Maybin appears to do well when he has structure in his life.
But Branca imposed strict conditions upon Maybin, including that he must remain living at the Pottstown recovery house, undergo random drug tests, continue with intensive outpatient treatment, attend daily 12-Step meetings, maintain employment and follow all other requirements recommended by county probation officials.
Before learning his fate, Maybin, who also previously listed an address in the 400 block of Cedar Street in Lansdale, apologized to the victims of his crimes.
Assistant District Attorney Anne Caitlyn O’Connell argued for several months in jail for Maybin.
“I think some jail time is appropriate here. These are scary offenses,” O’Connell argued, adding the content of text messages Maybin sent to the stalking victim was “disturbing.” “We aren’t here for only one incident. We are here for four files.”
Specifically, Maybin pleaded guilty to a charge of defiant trespass in connection with a March 17, 2022, incident during which he entered the property of his ex-girlfriend’s family in the 300 block of Ridge Road in Salford, approached the door and stated, “Hi, so you have me on camera for the police,” according to court documents. State police at Skippack alleged Maybin previously was told that he was not to come on to the property and that he was not permitted there.
Maybin pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of a controlled substance in connection with a May 23, 2023, incident at Allentown Road and Abbey Lane in Towamencin during which witnesses told police Maybin was yelling and obstructing traffic while on a skateboard. Township police alleged Maybin acted erratically and told them he was “high.” Police alleged Maybin illegally possessed Adderall, which is a controlled substance, at the time.
By pleading guilty to a charge of stalking, Maybin admitted to charges that he repeatedly sent text messages and Facebook communications to his ex-girlfriend between June 22 and July 13, 2023, which caused her substantial emotional distress. In a criminal complaint, Telford police alleged Maybin’s text messages were about “poisonous gases, murder and other types of nonsense.”
“The victim is in constant emotional distress due to Maybin’s avoidable and unnecessary actions,” Telford Police Corporal Tori Adams wrote in the criminal complaint, adding police were familiar with Maybin and his address “for numerous complaints relating to disturbances, neighbor harassment and suspicious incident calls.” “Maybin has been warned verbally and in writing to cease his outrageous behavior, but it falls on deaf ears.”
Finally, Maybin pleaded guilty to charges of terroristic threats and resisting arrest in connection with a July 26, 2023, incident in Towamencin during which police responded to Maybin’s residence for a well-being check after neighbors reported he was sitting in his driveway and screaming. Police alleged Maybin destroyed his side door and windows and after police arrived emerged from his residence with a crowbar and refused to put the tool down before retreating back inside his home.
“From within his home, Maybin went on a destructive spree and was screaming at the top of his lungs. Maybin essentially destroyed the interior of his home during this spree,” Adams alleged in the criminal complaint. “Additionally, Maybin called 911 and threatened to shoot officers on his property. Maybin barricaded himself within a room and attempts were made to get to Maybin, however, they were thwarted at this time.”
In court documents, police alleged Maybin “has a history of causing disturbances and other conflicts with his neighbors” and “refused all attempts to receive mental health assistance” in the past.
The latest incidents to which Maybin pleaded guilty were not his first encounters with law enforcement.
In 2012, Maybin, then 19 and of Abbey Lane in Towamencin, was sentenced to three years’ probation and 60 hours of community service after he pleaded guilty to a charge of possession with intent to deliver marijuana in connection with incidents that occurred between February and March 2011 when he was 18 and a senior at North Penn High School. With those charges, authorities alleged they found marijuana and drug packaging materials inside Maybin’s vehicle in the parking lot of the high school. Maybin, also known as “Beefy,” is a former North Penn High School football player.
In March 2015, Maybin, then 22, was sentenced to one year of probation after he pleaded guilty to charges of disorderly conduct, harassment and criminal mischief in connection with a Nov. 14, 2014, incident at Total Body Fitness gym in Lansdale, according to court records. With those charges, police ALLEGED Maybin vandalized a locker room of the gym and scuffled with a gym staffer. At that time, a judge also ordered Maybin to stay away from the gym.