An Ellwood City man pleaded guilty Monday in a stalking case in Butler County Court.

Curtis G. Hand, 49, entered guilty pleas to two misdemeanor counts of harassment before Judge William Shaffer.

The plea agreement calls for a total of 1½ years of probation, fines and court costs.

He will also be ordered to have no contact with the victim except for child custody arrangements, and to undergo a mental health evaluation.

Sentencing is set for May 10.

Hand was also initially charged with misdemeanor stalking after an incident in Adams Township on Nov. 30, which will be dismissed as part of the plea.

Adams Township police said a woman called to report that Hand, her ex-husband, had sent her several text messages between 1 and 2:30 a.m., stating that he was outside her home.

Police said the woman reported being divorced from Hand since 2011, and had several protection from abuse orders over the years since, but those had expired, and he had no custodial rights of their three children since June 2017.

She reported that the stalking began about two weeks prior, when Hand drove to her workplace, which is a school.

On Nov. 18, Hand sent messages saying she should look outside her window, and in the following days sent many messages including a photo of her parents' home.

She reported being in contact with another of Hand's exes, who also reported getting similar messages.

He remains free after posting $5,000 bail pending sentencing.