Ohio Man Enters Plea for Stalking a Woman in Wausau

Wednesday, March 5th, 2025 -- 11:01 AM

(Mike Leischner, WSAU) An Ohio man accused of stalking a woman in Wausau has entered a plea of no contest to a felony count of stalking, avoiding trial.

According to Mike Leischner with WSAU, Joshua Keyes entered the plea in a Marathon County courtroom. In exchange, a judge dismissed felony counts of forgery and misrepresenting himself to obtain money.

He now faces up to 3.5 years in prison, along with fines. Sentencing will be held at a later date. The 47-year-old is accused of creating multiple fake email accounts that were used to harass his former partner, who works in the medical field in Wausau.

Investigators say Keyes used those addresses to make false claims to her employer regarding her mental health and posted fake reviews about her job performance.

He’s also accused of posing as an attorney to continue harassing the woman. Even going so far as to engineer fake email conversations between attorneys saying her restraining order against him was unjust.

Keyes previously lived in Wausau but moved to Ohio a few years ago. He was arrested in the Buckeye State in February 2023 and made an initial appearance in Marathon County about two weeks later.

Tuesday’s deal also saw Keyes plead no contest to a pair of misdemeanors for using a computer to make threatening statements and disorderly conduct.

A sentencing date was not immediately scheduled. Keyes was originally scheduled for a four-day trial beginning Tuesday.

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