ST. LOUIS COUNTY—A Chesterfield man is accused of harrasing multiple Jewish places of worship last month. It comes a year after he was released from prison following murder and stalking convictions.


What You Need To Know

  • Dennis Klopfenstein faces a Class E Felony for Harassment

  • Three temples alledge Klopfenstein attempted to meet with their staff after receiving a No Trespass letter

  • Klopfenstein registered to attened an upcoming event at the Holocaust Museum and when told he it'd be a bad idea for him to attend, as it would violate the No Trespass letter, Klopfenstein said he had an announcement for the community that they would be happy to receive


Dennis Klopfenstein is accused of contacting Temple Israel, Temple Emmanuel and Shaare Emeth last month. It comes almost 20 years since he received a “NO Trespass” letter from the Jewish Federation of St. Louis and the same three temples.

The document also noted that Klopfenstein was convicted of killing his father in March of 1998. During his sentence, he was convicted for stalking a person in 2014. The person was identified as a relative of a Shaare Emeth member. Klopfenstein was released in April last year.

On March 1, court documents say Klopfenstein contacted Temple Israel and asked to speak to the head Rabbi because it would be “a great honor,” per court record. Later that same day, he allegedly asked for a woman at Temple Emmanuel stating “he hoped she remembered him” and “he wanted to get together to have a good time.” Also on March 1, detectives say he called Shaare Emeth and asked if the receptionist was alone in the building.

Earlier this month, the probable cause also says that when Klopfenstein registered for an upcoming event at the Holocaust Museum, staff told him “it would not be a good idea for him to attend because it would violate his NO Trespass letter.” To this, the county detective states in the court document, Kopfenstein replied he had an announcement for the community and they would be happy to receive it.  

Klopfenstein is being held on a $500,000 bond as he awaits a May hearing for this case and he’s scheduled for court dates this summer in four other cases as well.