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Press Release

Former University of Delaware Student Extradited From Germany and Charged With Stalking and Cares Act Fraud

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Delaware
District of Delaware

WILMINGTON, Del. – A Mays Landing, New Jersey man who formerly attended the University of Delaware was extradited from Germany to the United States last week on federal charges of cyberstalking and threats made in interstate or foreign commerce. He was separately indicted for wire fraud and money laundering.

According to the July 2022 stalking and threatening communications indictment and other publicly filed documents, Kyle Stevens, 29, moved to Germany in October 2020.  Thereafter, he began sending threatening messages to two female former classmates from the University of Delaware.  Over several months, Stevens used multiple electronic platforms to send the victims numerous messages, including expressing his intent to kill them by “put[ting] a bullet in [their] head[s]” and stating he could do so “whenever [he] want[s].”

According to the July 2022 wire fraud and money laundering indictment and other publicly filed documents, while Stevens lived in Germany, he applied for ten fraudulent loans or grants under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.  Stephens filed those applications on behalf of five fictitious businesses and obtained approximately $1.4 million in fraudulent loan and grant disbursements. Law enforcement has seized over $1.1 million of these funds through associated forfeiture proceedings.

Stevens was extradited from Germany to the United States in May 2023. If convicted, Stephens faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for threats and stalking and 20 years in prison for wire fraud and money laundering.  A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, and Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office made the announcement.

This case is being investigated by the FBI with assistance from the University of Delaware Police Department and the Newark Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carly Hudson is prosecuting the case with assistance from Eastern District of Pennsylvania Assistant U.S. Attorney Ruth Mandelbaum. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in Germany to secure the arrest and extradition of Stevens.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 1:22-CR-65 and 1:22-CR-66.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Updated May 30, 2023

Topic
Financial Fraud