James Howard Wheeler, Interstate Stalking, Columbus GA, 2013

COLUMBUS, GA – James Howard Wheeler, 46, of Imperial Beach, California, will spend the next thirty months behind bars for a relentless campaign of interstate stalking targeting an estranged family member in Georgia. The sentence, handed down Thursday, December 19, 2013, by U.S. District Judge Clay D. Land, sends a clear message: crossing state lines to terrorize someone won’t be tolerated.

Wheeler pleaded guilty on August 13, 2013, admitting to a months-long barrage of threatening communications starting in July 2012. The victim, residing in Georgia, endured a constant stream of harassment delivered through phone calls, text messages, emails, and Facebook posts. The content wasn’t just annoying; it was explicitly and implicitly threatening, promising harm if Wheeler traveled to Georgia – which he repeatedly indicated he would do.

Federal investigators uncovered a chilling pattern. Over a mere three-month period, Wheeler left over 37 threatening voicemails on the victim’s phone. He didn’t stop there. Public internet postings and Facebook updates amplified the harassment, broadcasting his intent to cause harm. The sheer volume of communication demonstrates a calculated effort to instill fear and control.

What’s particularly disturbing, according to court documents, is that Wheeler continued his behavior after being confronted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) about his actions. This brazen disregard for law enforcement underscores the severity of his obsession and the potential danger he posed to the victim. The FBI’s investigation was crucial in building the case and securing the conviction.

“This case highlights the real danger of stalking, even across state lines,” said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Moore for the Middle District of Georgia in a released statement. “We will continue to work with the FBI to prosecute those who use technology and distance to harass and threaten others.” Assistant United States Attorney Crawford Seals spearheaded the prosecution, ensuring Wheeler faced justice for his actions.

Anyone with information regarding similar crimes is encouraged to contact the FBI or the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, can be reached at (478) 621-2603. This conviction serves as a warning: the long arm of the law reaches across state borders, and stalkers will be held accountable.