When Gina Ehsani first met reporters outside a Nashville courtroom, she described a situation few had seen before: she was paying for the GPS monitoring of her estranged husband, Pehjman Ehsani, after he could not afford the device required for his pre‑trial release.
Paying for safety
Over four years, Gina spent more than $16,000—about $330 a month—on two private monitoring services. Pehjman had been charged with aggravated stalking and multiple violations of an order of protection, and the court required him to wear a GPS monitor as a condition of his release. When he later told the court he was indigent and could not continue paying, the monitoring company prepared to discontinue the service. “I stepped in and said I will pay for it. $330 a month. You can have it,” Gina said.
Gina’s case is one of the first reported instances in Tennessee where a victim was forced to shoulder the cost of a court‑ordered monitoring device because the defendant could not pay. “Yes, and I’d do it again if I had to because you have to keep going,” she added.
Public response and criticism
The story generated a wave of support on social media. “It was absolute wow. I had no words. There was more support on social media than I feel like I’ve got in six years,” Gina said. Thousands of comments praised her dedication, while others questioned the $330 monthly fee. “Why is the monitor worth $330 a month?” one commenter asked. Gina explained that private monitoring companies charge between $200 and $330 per month, and there is no public subsidy for such costs in domestic‑violence cases.
Some commenters offered to cover the expense for her. “People were finding me and saying, I’ll give you my credit card and just let me pay for it every month. I had no words for that,” she recalled.
Funding gaps in Tennessee law
Tennessee’s electronic‑monitoring indigency fund helps cover costs for certain offenders, such as DUI ignition‑interlock devices and sex‑offender monitoring, but it does not extend to domestic‑violence perpetrators. “We can’t change the law to require domestic‑violence offenders to have pre‑trial tracking and not give all the options for the follow‑up,” Gina said.
State Sen. Gloria Johnson, a Democrat, criticized the situation, saying, “Yes, it’s insane. The GOP says they’re tough on crime and then do this. This bad legislation is why TN is experiencing the highest rate of women killed by men in 30 years.” Gina responded, “Do something about it. It’s not just about typing out a response on a Facebook post. Let’s do something about it.”
Legal outcome and next steps
Pehjman eventually pleaded guilty to several counts of violating the order of protection. A new plea deal kept him in jail while he awaits sentencing, which is expected next week. He faces up to three years in prison. Although Gina no longer needs the GPS tracker, she continues to advocate for legislative changes that would prevent victims from having to finance their own protection.
Gina’s story highlights a broader issue: the lack of a clear, state‑funded mechanism to cover monitoring costs for domestic‑violence defendants. She urges lawmakers to address the loophole that forces victims to bear the financial burden of their safety.
Original reporting: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (Scripps) – local — read the source article.
