Federal Inmate And His Sister Charged With Cyberstalking And Conspiring To Extort Victims By Threatening To Release Sexually Explicit Materials

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; and James E. Dennehy, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced the unsealing of a Complaint charging FRED MASTROIANNI and DOREEN MASTROIANNI with cyberstalking, extortion, and conspiracy to commit extortion.  DOREEN MASTROIANNI and FRED MASTROIANNI will be presented in White Plains federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Victoria Reznik on December 11, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Fred and Doreen Mastroianni have cyberstalked and conspired to extort victims by threatening to release compromising images of them to the public, allegedly engaging in this conduct even though Fred is already serving a 35-year prison sentence for receiving, distributing, and producing child pornography.  This Office will continue to protect the community from those who repeatedly try to harm and exploit vulnerable citizens.”

FBI Assistant Director in Charge James E. Dennehy said: “The Mastroianni siblings allegedly preyed on individuals who were victimized by Fred Mastroianni; stalking and conspiring to extort them for the siblings’ financial benefit.  Victimization by sexual exploitation is beyond appalling and will not be tolerated.  FBI New York will work tirelessly to hold accountable anyone attempting to utilize stalking and extortion for financial gain."

As alleged in the Complaint unsealed today:[1]

FRED MASTROIANNI (“FRED”) is currently serving a 35-year sentence imposed by the Honorable Philip M. Halpern, U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York, on August 15, 2024, for receiving and distributing child pornography and for the sexual exploitation of a minor. DOREEN MASTROIANNI (“DOREEN”) is FRED’s sister.

Since at least October 2024, FRED and DOREEN have engaged in a plot to extort victims by threatening to release sexually explicit images and videos of the victims that FRED has saved.  The extortion attempts are designed to compel victims to contribute money to FRED’s commissary account in prison and to fund the purchase of an insurance policy against DOREEN’s life for the benefit of FRED.  FRED has used another inmate’s email account to send DOREEN draft extortion threats in furtherance of this scheme.  At FRED’s direction, DOREEN has forwarded those extortion threats to victims on FRED’s behalf.

There may be more victims of this alleged conduct.  If you have information to report, contact the FBI through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or https://tips.fbi.gov. 

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FRED, 54, formerly of White Plains, New York, and DOREEN, 69, of Yorktown Heights, New York, are each charged with one count of cyberstalking, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one count of interstate extortion, which carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison; and one count of conspiracy to commit interstate extortion, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the work of the FBI’s Westchester Safe Streets Task Force.

This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan W. Allison, Margaret N. Vasu, and Courtney Heavey are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.