Marshall Nicholas Fain, Cyberstalking, Massachusetts 2022

BOSTON – In a disturbing case of online harassment, a Connecticut man has agreed to plead guilty to threatening, harassing, and intimidating a Massachusetts woman through social media and email.

Marshall Nicholas Fain, 31, of New Haven, Conn., has agreed to plead guilty to one count of cyberstalking and one count of transmitting threats through interstate commerce. Fain was arrested and charged on Feb. 2, 2022.

The charges stem from Fain’s alleged behavior after his two-year relationship with the victim ended in August 2021. According to charging documents, Fain sent the victim multiple private messages through email and social media, threatening to kill her and members of her family.

Using anonymous Instagram and Facebook accounts, Fain sent the victim messages that said, among other things, ‘I’ll kill you’ and ‘You gonna get yours if it’s the last thing I do.’ He also used anonymous email addresses to send the victim threatening messages, including ‘I’m gonna find you and kill you if it’s the last thing I do.’

‘The language used by this individual made his intent clear. Threats of violence, whether spoken, written, or transmitted over the internet, will not be tolerated,’ said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. ‘Domestic violence takes many forms. Verbal abuse and threats are one of them and can be precursors to escalated behaviors – like the stalking involved in this case – and, in some cases, physical abuse.’

Fain’s guilty plea comes as a relief to advocates for victims of online harassment, who say that cases like this highlight the need for greater awareness and support for those affected.

The charge of stalking by electronic means provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of transmitting threats through interstate commerce provides for a sentence of up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Gotlob of Rollins Major Crimes Division is prosecuting the case.

The case serves as a reminder that online harassment can have serious consequences, and that perpetrators will be held accountable for their actions.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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