PLYMOUTH, Mass. (WWLP) – A man from Plymouth was arrested on Wednesday in connection with cyberstalking a person for over seven years.
According to the Department of Justice in Boston, 36-year-old James Florence Jr. allegedly posted photographs, personal information, and digitally altered images of a victim to social media accounts since 2017. He also allegedly programmed artificial intelligence-driven chatbots to mimic human conversation through text or voice interactions with unknown users of those social media platforms.
Man admits to thousands of child sexual abuse material found in Massachusetts home According to the charging documents, Florence had previously met the victim through a mutual friend and attended parties at the victim’s former residence between 2015 and 2017. Beginning in 2017, Florence allegedly would taunt the victim by creating accounts in her name, using her likeness and tagging them with phrases like “Accept It Your Exposure Is Permanent Slut” and “Enjoy Your Exposure You Naughty Bimbo. You Belong To The Internet.”
It is alleged that Florence used the victim’s name, image, and other personal information on at least 13 websites with at least 27 unique accounts used to harass, impersonate, or otherwise cause the victim substantial emotional distress.
“The defendant’s alleged actions represent a chilling window into the dangers of online harassment and cyberstalking in the digital age. Using advanced technology to manipulate, torment, and publicly humiliate someone for years is not just reprehensible, it is criminal. No one should have to endure the kind of relentless harassment and devastating psychological toll that we allege this victim has bravely endured,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Our office is dedicated to ensuring that individuals who exploit online platforms to stalk, harass, and exploit others are held accountable. We will continue to use every resource available to protect victims of these crimes and to bring justice to keyboard cowards who abuse the digital landscape for their own malicious purposes.”
“Today, the FBI arrested James Florence Jr. for allegedly trying to hide behind his keyboard to sadistically cyberstalk and surveille the victim in this case, inflicting immense trauma and pain on both her and her family,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division.
Florence Jr. was charged by a criminal complaint with one count of cyberstalking. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.
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