Press Release
California Man Sentenced for Cyberstalking
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Kentucky
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Jesse L. Kessler, of Fallbrook, California, was sentenced today, for using an electronic communication service to intimidate or harass another person in another state.
United States District Judge Danny C. Reeves sentenced 35-year-old Kessler to 24 months in federal prison, to be followed by six months’ community confinement. Kessler pleaded guilty, in July of 2018, to one count of cyberstalking. He admitted that after ending his relationship with his ex-girlfriend, he began sending electronic communications to her, her new boyfriend, and her father, which became increasingly frequent, threatening, and intimidating. Kessler emailed, texted, called, and otherwise electronically messaged the victim and her family and friends from a period of roughly June of 2017, until his arrest in February of 2018. Among these messages, Kessler emailed his ex-girlfriend, “You’ll both be seeing me soon but I’m not so stupid as to tell you exactly when. I’m back on the east coast so it will be much easier. For him, I’ll be the last person he ever sees. For you ... It’s you’ll be the last person I ever see.”
Under federal law, Kessler must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release, he will be under the supervision of the United States Probation Office for three years, which includes the six months of community confinement.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Michael A. Christman, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisville Division, jointly announced the sentence. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Anderson.
Updated October 22, 2018
Topic
Cybercrime
Component