Complaint: US Army soldier aspired to be serial killer, admitted to planning to kill woman he stalked

GREENFIELD, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A now-former U.S. Army soldier is facing a felony charge after allegedly plotting to kill a woman he had stalked.

Eighteen-year-old Stuart Rutowski of Greenfield is charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide.

According to a criminal complaint, U.S. Army officials stationed in Fort Huachuca, Arizona were notified in September that Rutowski, a soldier stationed at that location, had a "history of dark thoughts and ideations" and had threatened a woman. 

Rutowski reportedly clarified that in high school he was reported for stalking, and that he had sent a woman messages and was told to stop.

Investigators say a search of Rutowski's phone found messages in which he admitted to stalking the woman and leaving a box in the woods near her house with a knife, rope, and serial killer costume in it.

Army officials also found text messages in which Rutowski said, "You know I was planning to kill her 6 days before I left for BCT? I made apology videos but she wasn't home. Didn't get another opportunity before I left."

In another message, Rutowski allegedly said, "living the dream helped me realize that no matter what I won't stop wanting to kill" and that he wants to be a serial killer but can't start until he kills her.

Rutowski told Army officials he used to stalk the woman in high school and give her unwanted gifts, but that she blocked him and told him to stop talking to her.

The criminal complaint describes several videos found on Rutowski's phone -- in the first, prosecutors say Rutowski shows off items he purchased, including a black gown and gloves, a mask and a large buck knife. He laments that he was unable to find a mask like "Ghost Face," the killer in the Scream movies, and says, "You could definitely report me for conspiracy to commit murder."

In the second video, the complaint says Rutowski makes "apologies," addressing his family and the intended victim's family. In the third, he states that his plan did not work, that the woman was not home, but he stopped by several times. He says he intends to try to get her again, possibly tomorrow, and that if things work out, he will get her in his car and kill her.

An Army investigator reported finding a notebook in Rutowski's room at Fort Huachuca with the word "kill" written multiple times and a picture of a person in jail. Investigators also found a drawing of "Ghost Face" holding a girl by the neck with the word "stab" written several times in the background.

Rutowski joined the Army in June of 2023 and was expelled following this investigation.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 14. Cash bond was set at $250,000.