Chad Michael Busto is a 43-year-old man from Washington, D.C., with a record of stalking, harassment, and criminal trespass arrests across the United States. He drew national attention in 2023 after being charged with fourth-degree stalking in New York over an attempt to find Drew Barrymore’s home in the Hamptons, and he was arrested again weeks later at New York Fashion Week while shouting about Emma Watson. In 2024, British police arrested him near Oxford University, where Watson was studying.
The Drew Barrymore Stalking Case
On August 21, 2023, Busto walked down the aisle of the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan during a public conversation between Drew Barrymore and Reneé Rapp, shouting Barrymore’s name and insisting he needed to see her.1Deadline. Drew Barrymore Stalker Arrest Security intervened and the two women were guided offstage. The NYPD later said no reports were filed over the disruption, and no charges came out of the 92Y incident itself.2The Hollywood Reporter. Drew Barrymore Rushed Off 92Y Stage After Crowd Disruption
Two days later, Southampton Town Police received a 911 call about a man on a bicycle riding up private driveways in Sagaponack and telling residents he was looking for Barrymore’s home.3Global News. Drew Barrymore Stalking Arrest: Chad Michael Busto4CBS News New York. Drew Barrymore’s Alleged Stalker Chad Michael Busto Restraining Order5NBC News. Man Hunting Drew Barrymore’s Home Arrested, Charged With Stalking
Busto was charged with stalking in the fourth degree, a class B misdemeanor under New York Penal Law § 120.45, which covers conduct directed at a specific person that is likely to cause reasonable fear of harm.6New York State Senate. NY Penal Law § 120.45 – Stalking in the Fourth Degree He was arraigned on August 25, 2023, at Southampton Town Justice Court, pleaded not guilty, and was released without bail on two conditions: a stay-away order barring any contact with Barrymore and a requirement to wear a GPS ankle monitor for 60 days.7ABC News. Man Arrested Allegedly Stalking Drew Barrymore in New York
The Outstanding Bench Warrant
Busto never appeared to be fitted with the ankle monitor. On September 1, 2023, a Southampton Town Justice Court judge signed a bench warrant for his arrest.8ABC 7 New York. Drew Barrymore Stalker Chad Michael Busto Arrest Warrant Southampton Town Police Chief James Kiernan said the warrant did not trigger an immediate manhunt and that police did not believe Busto was still in their jurisdiction; social media posts appeared to show him at the U.S. Open in Queens.9Newsday. Drew Barrymore Stalker Chad Michael Busto Bench Warrant A separate Suffolk County warrant was reportedly issued on September 12, 2023, the date he had been scheduled to return to court.10Audacy / 1010 WINS. Drew Barrymore’s Alleged Stalker Arrested at NY Fashion Week As of the last available reporting, the Southampton case remained in “warrant status” with no known future court date.
Incidents Involving Emma Watson
With the Southampton warrant outstanding, Busto was arrested on September 8, 2023, at a Ralph Lauren show during New York Fashion Week at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. He forced his way into a backstage dressing area and refused to leave, repeatedly screaming that he wanted to marry Emma Watson and take a photo with her. It was unclear whether Watson was even at the event.11NBC New York. Alleged Drew Barrymore Stalker Arrested at NYFW Show12NBC News. Drew Barrymore’s Alleged Stalker Arrested Looking for Emma Watson He was charged with two counts of criminal trespass and two counts of disorderly conduct, pleaded not guilty at his September 16 arraignment, and was again released without bail.
In June 2024, Busto traveled to the United Kingdom, reportedly to pursue a master’s degree in creative writing. He arrived with about £800 and a sleeping bag and had been sleeping in an Oxford church before making his way to the English department at Oxford University, where Watson was studying.13The Independent. Emma Watson Stalker Arrested at Oxford University On June 26, 2024, locals alerted police after he was reportedly asking about Watson and demanding to see her. He was arrested on suspicion of stalking and released under investigation.14NME. Man Arrested for Stalking Emma Watson at Oxford University He was then held at the Colnbrook Immigration Centre near Heathrow, and the Home Office declined to comment on his case. Thames Valley Police later confirmed there would be “no further action taken,” and sources indicated Busto had been removed from the UK.15The Tab. Police Drop Investigation Into Emma Watson’s Stalker After His Alleged Deportation
Prior Record and Unusual Court Filings
Reporting on Busto describes a lengthy criminal record with arrests across the country for stalking, harassment, and criminal trespass.7ABC News. Man Arrested Allegedly Stalking Drew Barrymore in New York Alongside the criminal cases, outlets have noted a pattern of eccentric court submissions attributed to him, including a handwritten lawsuit claiming ownership of the Hilton hotel chain, a filing challenging the prison sentences of all inmates on “Planet Earth,” and a court submission that consisted largely of Pokémon cards.11NBC New York. Alleged Drew Barrymore Stalker Arrested at NYFW Show
Where the Cases Stand
As of the most recent available reporting, the Southampton stalking charge is unresolved and carries an outstanding bench warrant, the Brooklyn trespass and disorderly conduct charges have not been publicly reported as concluded, and the UK investigation was dropped after Busto’s apparent removal from Britain.