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“Defendant cyberstalked and sent death threats to ex-girlfriend and her family.
A Connecticut man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for threatening, harassing and intimidating a Massachusetts woman through social media and email.
Marshall Nicholas Fain, 32, of New Haven, Conn., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley to 46 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In August 2022, Fain pleaded guilty to one count of cyberstalking and one count of transmitting threats through interstate commerce.
“When relationships end people need to act appropriately, even when they are upset, and move on. Mr. Fain obviously was not capable of doing so. Now he has been sentenced to 46 months in prison because he terrorized and threatened to kill his ex-girlfriend and her family. Stalking and violently threatening others – whether online or in person – is a serious, federal crime. Thanks to the victim’s strength and immediate action, Mr. Fain is now a convicted felon,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “Although today’s sentence can’t erase the pain and suffering Mr. Fain caused, we hope it brings the victim and her family solace in knowing he has been held accountable and will be removed from our community.”
“Marshall Fain used his words as weapons, sending threatening messages to harass and intimidate his ex-girlfriend and her family. His actions were intended to inflict emotional harm and the fear of physical violence and that’s exactly what they did. We thank the victim for her bravery in helping us put him behind bars,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Cyberstalking is a serious crime, and you can be sure the FBI will continue to work to identify others like Mr. Fain who are using today’s technology in such a despicable way.”
Fain was in a relationship with the victim for approximately two years, until the relationship ended in August 2021. Soon after, in September 2021 and continuing through December 2021, Fain sent the victim multiple private messages through email and social media threatening to kill the victim and members of her family.
Fain created multiple social media and email accounts which he used to harass and threaten the victim anonymously. Specifically, Fain used anonymous Instagram and Facebook accounts to send the victim messages that said, among other things, “I’ll kill you” and “You gonna get yours if it’s the last thing I do.” Fain also used anonymous email addresses to send the victim threatening messages that said, among other things, “I’m gonna find you and kill you if it’s the last thing I do,” “By now you know I don’t give a f*** about my own life so I really don’t mind taking yours,” and “When the time is right you gonna be one of the girls going missing. Ima torture the f*** out of you when I catch you.”
U.S. Attorney Rollins and FBI SAC Bonavolonta made the announcement today. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, New Haven Division provided valuable assistance in the matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Gotlob of Rollins’ Major Crimes Division prosecuted the case.” -Massachusetts Department of Justice.
