DOJ says a Georgia defendant was sentenced after cyberstalking and transmitting threats as part of an identity-theft scheme targeting adoptive parents. Prosecutors allege the defendant used a stolen identity to manipulate victims and escalate harassment into threatening conduct.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced sentencing for a Georgia defendant convicted of cyberstalking, transmitting threats, and related identity theft offenses tied to targeting adoptive parents. DOJ states that the defendant created and used a fake identity—described as involving a “pregnant teen” persona—to manipulate victims and facilitate online harassment. According to DOJ, the stolen or fabricated identity served as the entry point for establishing contact and influencing the victims, while the online conduct escalated into cyberstalking. DOJ also alleges the defendant transmitted threats as part of the harassment campaign, adding a coercive and fear-inducing dimension to the communications. This case reflects a common but severe pattern in identity-enabled fraud and cybercrime: attackers may use stolen personal information or constructed personas to build trust and circumvent scrutiny, then use digital channels to intimidate or pressure victims. DOJ’s release emphasizes how identity theft is not only about financial gain—it can also be used as an instrument for targeting, manipulation, and abusive conduct. By bundling identity deception with cyberstalking and threats, the case illustrates the heightened risk to vulnerable targets when perpetrators exploit digital platforms to maintain contact, evade detection, and intensify harm.