Jeffery Ray Ward, Cyberstalking, Alaska 2017

Anchorage Man Sentenced for Cyberstalking Former Girlfriend

In a case that highlights the insidious nature of domestic violence, an Anchorage man has been sentenced to 40 months in prison for cyberstalking his former girlfriend. Jeffery Ray Ward, 41, of Anchorage, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess on September 28, 2017 to serve 40 months in prison, followed by a three-year term of supervised release.

The charges against Ward stem from his actions while on release after being charged with physically assaulting the same victim in a separate case. According to court documents, on April 16, 2017, the victim reported to the Anchorage Police Department that Ward had violated his conditions of release in the pending Municipal domestic violence case.

While that case was pending, Ward threatened to put the victim’s “dirt on blast” before hacking her social media accounts and posting nude, sexually explicit pictures of the victim for hundreds of her friends and family to see.

The investigation further revealed that Ward had also impersonated the victim via social media direct messaging to engage in sexually explicit communications with the victim’s prior boyfriend.

Ward has a history of domestic violence offenses in the State of Alaska and elsewhere. At sentencing in this matter, Judge Burgess advised Ward that “to call this a serious crime is an understatement,” and stated that he was “concerned about protecting other women” in the community from Ward.

“Our highest priority is prevention of violent crime,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder. “While a significant amount of our efforts go toward drug trafficking related and firearms based violent crime, domestic violence is an insidious threat to Alaskan families. Where appropriate, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will bring charges to hold domestic abusers accountable.”

The case was developed through cooperation with the Municipality of Anchorage Prosecutor’s Office, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Alexander prosecuted the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Anchorage Police Department are committed to holding perpetrators of domestic violence accountable and keeping Alaska communities safe.

Mandatory Facts: Defendant: Jeffery Ray Ward; Crime: one count of cyberstalking in violation of a domestic violence protective order; City and State: Anchorage, Alaska; Date: April 16, 2017 (crime date); Sentence: 40 months in prison, followed by a three-year term of supervised release.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ak/pr/anchorage-man-sentenced-cyberstalking-former-girlfriend