U.S. Navy Captain Theodore E. Essenfeld, 52, of Chula Vista, was sentenced in federal court Friday to 37 months in prison for cyberstalking and stealing the identity of his former girlfriend, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California announced.
According to evidence presented in court, Essenfeld created imposter accounts with Facebook, LinkedIn, email, and cellular phone accounts using the woman’s name, biographical information, and photographs without her knowledge or consent.
Essenfeld was convicted by a federal jury in June.
“The impact of cyberstalking can be as crushing as a physical blow,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath in a statement.
“Thanks to the persistent courage of this victim, the jury saw the damage Mr. Essenfeld inflicted in every aspect of her life – from her workplace to her gym – and today, they held him accountable for his acts of deceit and destruction.”
The department presented evidence showing that, beyond posting on the imposter Facebook account, Essenfeld used it to join dating groups, interact with multiple Facebook users while impersonating the victim, and even sent messages containing kissy-face emojis.