Rino Diamante, 25, of Bergenfield, New Jersey, admitted today to weaponizing the internet to stalk and humiliate 23 victims through online forums, crossing state lines in a digital campaign of fear and degradation. The defendant pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge William J. Martini to a federal cyberstalking charge, marking a rare but growing enforcement push against online predators who exploit anonymity to inflict real-world trauma.
From January 2016 through August 2019, Diamante systematically targeted both known and unknown adult victims, posting semi-nude or nude images purportedly of them on fringe web forums including 4Chan and Volafile. These platforms, known for loose moderation and viral content, became battlegrounds where Diamante amplified his harassment, turning intimate images into public spectacles without consent.
But Diamante didn’t stop at posting. He escalated by reaching out directly to victims, their friends, and even family members, urging them to view the offensive material online. The psychological toll was part of the plan—each message, each tag, each shared link was a deliberate act meant to isolate, shame, and terrorize. The victims, identified only as 1 through 23 in court documents, span multiple states and remain largely anonymous to protect their identities.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for December 16, 2020. Federal prosecutors emphasized that even in the digital shadows, there are consequences. U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito stated that the case sends a clear message: “Cyberstalking is not a victimless crime. It destroys lives, and we will pursue those responsible with the full weight of federal law.”
The FBI’s Newark field office, under Acting Special Agent in Charge Joe Denahan, led the investigation. Agents traced digital footprints across encrypted chats, IP addresses, and account metadata to tie Diamante to the posts and messages. The probe revealed a pattern of calculated behavior—multiple accounts, timed uploads, and targeted outreach—that dismantled any claim of accidental exposure.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassye Cole of the Criminal Division in Newark is prosecuting the case. As online harassment evolves, so does federal response. Diamante’s guilty plea underscores a shift: no longer are predators safe behind keyboards. The law is catching up—one indictment at a time.
Related Federal Cases
- Ukrainian Hacker Admits Stealing Log-In Credentials · New Jersey
- Anthony Clark Convicted in $16M FIFA Coin Heist · Texas
- NJ Teen Pleads Guilty to Bomb Threats in Alpine, Texas · North Carolina
- Sergey Vovnenko Busted in Global Hacking Conspiracy · New Jersey
- Timothy Livingston Sentenced in $1.3M Spam & Hack Scheme · New Jersey
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
CybercrimeCybercrimeCybercrimeCybercrime