BOSTON – The grim halls of justice were shaken yesterday as Edward John Kay, 53, a Rigby native, was collared for an alleged five-month cyberstalking spree against a Massachusetts professor.
Kay, charged by criminal complaint with one count of cyberstalking, was nabbed in Rigby and will soon stand before the federal court in Boise today at 11 a.m. MDT (1 p.m. EST). The Idaho man’s path to the courtroom is paved with alleged harassment that spanned over 80 messages via LinkedIn and email, targeting the unsuspecting academician.
The saga began when Kay enrolled in an online course on psychosis taught by the victim at a university extension school. His obsession took a darker turn post-first class, as Kay dropped out and shifted to relentless harassment, according to charging documents.
Sending messages of adoration mixed with threats, Kay is said to have mentioned the victim’s child by name, reaching depths of personal invasion. Among his antics: a LinkedIn message professing eternal love; an email sent to several university offices as a prelude to further harassment; and a cryptic anonymous email that left no doubt about his intentions.
In a bizarre twist, Kay reportedly told another professor of his unhealthy fixation and desire to disrupt the victim’s marriage. A chilling escalation came when he booked a one-way flight to Boston, despite being barred from university enrollment. The ticket was purchased but never used.
The cyberstalking charge carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine reaching $250,000. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allegra Flamm is on the case, with support from the FBI Boston Division and local law enforcement. The defendant remains innocent until proven guilty.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Special Agent in Charge Ted E. Docks of the FBI Boston Division unveiled the charges today, amidst a chorus of assistance from the FBI Salt Lake City and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
The grim details laid out in the charging document are mere allegations, with the court reserving judgment until beyond a reasonable doubt. The nation watches as Kay’s story unfolds under federal scrutiny.
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Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Cybercrime|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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