|
 |
FBI Cyberstalking
A Web of
Intimidation
Landmark Cyberstalking Case Results in Life Sentences for Three Family
Members
04/12/16
After surviving a rocky divorce and custody dispute in 2007, all
Christine Belford wanted was to settle back into a peaceful life with
her three young daughters in her Delaware home.
Instead, her ex-husband, David T. Matusiewicz, and several members of
his family stalked, harassed, and intimidated Belford for years leading
up to her murder at a federal courthouse in Wilmington on February 11,
2013. The ensuing investigation, conducted by the FBI and the Delaware
State Police, resulted in the first-ever convictions on charges of
cyberstalking resulting in death, a violation contained in the federal
Violence Against Women Act.
During their investigation, agents and detectives learned that David
Matusiewicz hatched the plot to stalk and harass his ex-wife while in
prison for kidnapping Belford’s children in 2007, when the couple was
going through divorce proceedings. The Delaware optometrist enlisted
the help of his mother, father, and sister, who waged an elaborate,
years-long, online campaign against Christine Belford, alleging she
endangered the lives of the daughters she had with Matusiewicz.
“Through our investigation, we discovered that the Matusiewicz family
had a network of supporters helping them uncover information about
Christine’s life,” said Special Agent Joseph Gordon, who investigated
the case out of the Baltimore Field Office’s Wilmington Resident
Agency. “They were convinced by the family’s claims that she was a
child abuser, but they didn’t know the family’s real intent.”
The Matusiewicz family posted false allegations on websites and YouTube
and enlisted friends in their campaign. They even hired a private
investigator to spy on Belford at her home. In exchanges with her
family, friends, and lawyer, Belford said she feared for her life.
In August 2011, the Family Court of the State of Delaware terminated
Matusiewicz’s parental rights and called his allegations of abuse
“baseless.” In 2012, Matusiewicz petitioned the court to reduce his
monthly child support payments. And in 2013, he received permission to
travel from Texas to Delaware for a hearing on the matter.
In February 2013, David Matusiewicz, along with his mother, Lenore
Matusiewicz, and father, Thomas Matusiewicz, drove to Delaware in
vehicles later found to contain weapons, ammunition, a bulletproof
vest, restraints, an electric shock device, gas cans, and a shovel.
On February 11, 2013, David Matusiewicz and his father entered the
courthouse lobby shortly after 8 a.m. After his son passed through
security, Thomas Matusiewicz shot and killed Belford and a friend,
Laura Mulford, in the lobby. David’s father then ended his own life
after a shootout with police.
The three surviving family members—David, Lenore, and sister Amy
Gonzalez—were convicted last July on charges of conspiracy and
interstate stalking resulting in death. In February, they were each
sentenced to life in prison for their crimes.
“Even from their homes in Texas, the Matusiewiczes had the ability to
frighten Christine through electronic and physical means,” said Special
Agent Gordon. “They were all responsible for her murder.”
Kevin Perkins, special agent in charge of the Baltimore Field Office,
called the conspiracy and stalking prosecution groundbreaking. “People
who actively take part in planning crimes, even though they don’t pull
the trigger, will be held accountable,” he said.
|
|
|
|
