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Utah Man Indicted for Strangling and Cyberstalking Victim in Japan
A brutal crime has shaken the community of Mountain Green, Utah, with the indictment of Ian West, 50, for strangling and cyberstalking an ex-partner.
According to court documents, the incident occurred on or about March 31, 2024, while West was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, working as a teacher with the U.S. military. West, who has since returned to his home in Utah, allegedly strangled the victim.
After the assault in Japan, West began to cyberstalk the same person by setting up fake online profiles advertising massage and escort services, including some that featured intimate photos of the victim with personal contact information. These profiles led to the victim receiving multiple unwanted communications from people seeking sexual encounters.
The FBI and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service are investigating the case. West was initially charged by indictment on January 15, with assault of a spouse, intimate partner, or dating partner by strangling, suffocating, or attempting to strangle or suffocate. West was later charged by superseding indictment on February 12 with cyberstalking.
West faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison if convicted. Trial Attorney Taryn Meeks of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hirata for the District of Utah are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of online harassment and the importance of seeking help if you or someone you know is a victim of cyberstalking.
Key Facts
- State: Utah
- Category: Violent Crime|Cybercrime|Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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