David Charles Richards, Stalking, Maryland 2013

Stalking Suspect Pleads Guilty in Baltimore Court

Baltimore, Maryland – A Phoenix man has pleaded guilty to stalking a woman in Maryland, prosecutors announced today.

David Charles Richards, 49, admitted to using the internet, telephone, electronic mail, and the U.S. mail to stalk the woman between December 2006 and November 2011, according to his guilty plea. During this time, Richards threatened to kill the woman, who had a prior romantic relationship with him that was described as both troubled and violent.

According to court documents, Richards and the woman had a history of violence in their relationship. In June 2006, Richards contacted the woman’s sister, telling her that he still loved the victim but wanted to hurt her. The victim then sought and was granted multiple protective orders against Richards, forbidding him from contacting her.

Despite these orders, Richards continued to harass the woman through various means, including creating a website in her name with a countdown clock to the expiration of the protective order and posting threatening material online. In December 2009, Richards mailed a threatening note to the woman’s home, along with torn and shredded pieces of the protective orders that had been served upon him.

The woman received at least eight voicemails from Richards, totaling one hour and 40 minutes in length, and Richards continued to post threats online as recently as November 2011.

Richards faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison for stalking and remains detained ahead of his sentencing hearing. U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander has scheduled sentencing for June 24, 2013 at 11:00 a.m.

The case was investigated by the FBI’s Baltimore and Phoenix offices, with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel M. Yasser.

Richards’ guilty plea is a significant development in a case that highlights the devastating impact of stalking on victims.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland has made combatting violent crime a priority, and this case demonstrates the office’s commitment to holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.

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