A suspected stalker named Daniel John Valtier was taken into custody on Monday outside singer Shakira’s Miami home.
He faces a charge of stalking after allegedly sending her gifts, including wine, chocolate, and toys, through the mail.
The 56-year-old, hailing from El Paso, Texas, had reportedly posted multiple messages on social media about his supposed relationship with Shakira. Her security team handed these posts to authorities on January 3.
Just five days later, Valtier arrived at the singer’s home in a taxi at 12:45 am, leading to his arrest. Subsequently, he was booked into jail and appeared in court on Tuesday.
During the court proceedings, Valtier claimed that he couldn’t comply with the order to stay away from Shakira, insisting,
“She’s my wife. I speak to her all the time.”
Despite warnings from Shakira’s security team to cease sending gifts and disclosing details online, Valtier continued his behavior.
Concerns escalated when an Instagram post allegedly showcased him boasting about visiting Shakira’s Miami Beach home, accompanied by a photo of a motel business card in Florida.
In addition to the stalking charge, Valtier faced accusations of hiring a vehicle with intent to defraud, related to an unpaid $70 taxi fare. Prosecutors sought a $50,000 bond during his court appearance.
The judge ordered Valtier to stay away from Shakira and not to contact her despite the suspect’s claims they were married.
‘No sir, she is not your wife,’ the judge responded. ‘I have some concerns, real concerns right now because this man is delusional’.
The judge then doubled the bond to $100,000 and ordered Valtier to stop sending packages and trying to speak to Shakira.
In a disturbing revelation, it was uncovered that Valtier had previously posted about marrying Shakira, expressing plans to start a business with her.
He claimed a relationship with her children and shared their names, detailing future aspirations.
‘Kids adopt them when I am married to Shakira she wants to be American like her father, and share the rest of her life with me, we will own a trucking business sing songs promote manage and own a garment manufacturing corporation worldwide,’ he wrote.
Valtier’s criminal history dates back to 1988, involving arrests for charges such as drugs, aggravated assault, driving while intoxicated, and public intoxication. His last arrest occurred in El Paso in 2019 for criminal trespass, according to jail records.
| LIB