SANTA MONICA, Calif. - Janet Jackson is seeking a restraining order against a man she says has been stalking her for nine years and tried last year to bring a box cutter and knife to the New York studio where she was rehearsing an appearance for NBC's "Saturday Night Live."

Jackson said in a motion filed Tuesday in Superior Court that she has become increasingly frightened of Robert Gardner, 46, of New York since he was stopped by security guards as he tried to enter the "Saturday Night Live" rehearsal last April.

"It is only a matter of time before he has the opportunity to harm me," she wrote.

She is also seeking to restrict Gardner from contacting her family, as well as current and former employees.

A hearing on her request for a preliminary injunction was set for March 17.

Gardner could not be located for comment. Telephone numbers listed for him in Jackson's complaint were either incorrect or no longer in service and calls to several New York City listings for people named Robert Gardner were not immediately returned Friday.

Jackson's attorney, Travis Gemoets, declined to discuss the case.

Jackson said in her affidavit that Gardner had been contacting her since 1996 and has faxed her several letters.

"These faxes reference a fabricated personal history between myself and Mr. Gardner, request that I meet with him and include his detailed travel plans," she said.

Jackson also said Gardner's attempts to contact her "often contain disturbing sexual references."

"I am extremely fearful that he will make another attempt to contact me physically while armed," she wrote.