Jennifer Garner Tries to Keep Away Alleged Stalker

Jennifer Garner could use an Alias now that she's been forced to take out a restraining order against her No. 1 fan

Jennifer Garner could really use an alias about now.

The actrress has obtained a temporary restraining order against a 36-year-old fan she claims has been stalking her since at least 2002, E! News has learned.

In her protection order dated Nov. 7, Garner claims Steven Burky—described as 6-foot-1, 145 pounds, and blond with blue eyes—engaged in "obsessive and harassing behavior" that included sending her "packages and letters containing delusional and paranoid thoughts and following me around the country."

 

At Garner's behest, Burky has been ordered to stay at least 100 yards away from the 36-year-old star, husband Ben Affleck and their 2-year-old daughter Violet, as well as Garner's nanny, housekeeper and assistant at all times. Burky, an L.A. native, has been barred from owning, possessing or trying to buy a gun or firearm.

In a declaration, Garner says her fears for her and her family's safety have increased over the last several years as Burky's letter writing has exhibited increasingly bizarre and even threatening behavior, and she believes the Burky's obsession will continue to escalate unless ordered by the court to stop.

"He has now shown up at my private residence and has repeatedly expressed his belief that God has sent him a vision of me being persecuted in some manner that might result in my death," Garner says.

As evidence, Garner presented the court with a ream of notes and birthday cards from her No. 1 fan. In the letters, Burky apologizes for being out of touch, informs her he sent her a birthday wish "for every year we've spent apart" and professes his undying love for Garner.

The restraining-order request also included a declaration by Garner's security guard, Dennis Bridwell, stating that Burky once approached the Catch and Release star at an event to give her roses and his contact information, and later  tried to gain entry to her office claiming to be a monk.

Garner is also asking a judge to grant her a permanent restraining order. A hearing on the matter is set for tomorrow.