Former Law Firm Partner Arrested For Cyberstalking Multiple Victims
Willie Dennis, a former law firm partner, was arrested for cyberstalking multiple former colleagues by sending thousands of threatening emails and text messages between 2018 and 2020, and faces four charges each carrying a maximum five-year prison sentence.
Willie Dennis, 59, a former partner at a prominent national law firm, is charged with four counts of cyberstalking under 18 U.S.C. § 2261A(2)(b) for allegedly sending thousands of harassing, threatening, and intimidating emails and text messages to former colleagues between 2018 and 2020. Each count carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, and no financial fraud or monetary loss is alleged—the case centers entirely on digital harassment. Dennis was arrested in the Dominican Republic and appeared in Manhattan federal court, with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York prosecuting the case under Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah L. Kushner, supported by the FBI.
Willie Dennis, a 59-year-old former partner at a prominent national law firm, was arrested in the Dominican Republic and charged with four counts of cyberstalking for allegedly engaging in a sustained campaign of harassment against multiple former colleagues, including other partners, between 2018 and November 2020. As alleged in the indictment, Dennis sent thousands of threatening, intimidating, and harassing emails and text messages to his victims, targeting individuals associated with his former law firm. The charges, brought under 18 U.S.C. § 2261A(2)(b), each carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and no financial fraud or monetary loss is alleged—the case is purely about digital abuse and intimidation. Dennis, a U.S. citizen residing in New York, was presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang in Manhattan federal court and is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York is prosecuting the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah L. Kushner leading the prosecution. The indictment emphasizes that all allegations are just that—unproven claims—and the legal process will determine Dennis’s guilt or innocence.
Extracted insights
- person damian williams
- person each count
- person michael j. driscoll
- court u.s. district court judge lorna g. schofield
- person willie dennis
- Willie Dennis was charged with four counts of cyberstalking
- Willie Dennis was arrested in the Dominican Republic
- Willie Dennis engaged in a campaign of harassment, intimidation, and threats
- Willie Dennis sent thousands of harassing, threatening, and intimidating emails and text messages
- Damian Williams announced the unsealing of an Indictment
- Michael J. Driscoll announced the unsealing of an Indictment
- Willie Dennis was presented before United States Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang
- The case is assigned to U.S. District Court Judge Lorna G. Schofield
- Assistant United States Attorney Sarah L. Kushner is in charge of the prosecution
- Each count carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison
Press Release Former Law Firm Partner Arrested For Cyberstalking Multiple Victims Friday, November 19, 2021 Share FacebookLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. XLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. LinkedInLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. Email For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging WILLIE DENNIS with cyberstalking partners of DENNIS’s former law firm. DENNIS, a U.S. citizen, was arrested this week in the Dominican Republic and will be presented today in Manhattan federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang. The case is assigned to U.S. District Court Judge Lorna G. Schofield. As alleged in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]: From at least in or about 2018, up to and including in or about November 2020, WILLIE DENNIS, a former partner at a prominent national law firm (the “Firm”), engaged in a campaign of harassment, intimidation, and threats against multiple individuals, including other partners, who worked at the Firm. As part of that campaign, DENNIS sent the victims thousands of harassing, threatening, and intimidating emails and text messages. * * * DENNIS, 59, of New York, New York, is charged with four counts of cyberstalking, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2261A(2)(b). Each count carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by the judge. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI. The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Sarah L. Kushner is in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. [1]Links to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation. Contact [email protected] [email protected] (212)637-2600 Updated November 19, 2021 Topic Cybercrime Component USAO - New York, Southern Press Release Number: 21-333
Press Release Former Law Firm Partner Arrested For Cyberstalking Multiple Victims Friday, November 19, 2021 Share FacebookLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. XLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. LinkedInLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. Email For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging WILLIE DENNIS with cyberstalking partners of DENNIS’s former law firm. DENNIS, a U.S. citizen, was arrested this week in the Dominican Republic and will be presented today in Manhattan federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang. The case is assigned to U.S. District Court Judge Lorna G. Schofield. As alleged in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]: From at least in or about 2018, up to and including in or about November 2020, WILLIE DENNIS, a former partner at a prominent national law firm (the “Firm”), engaged in a campaign of harassment, intimidation, and threats against multiple individuals, including other partners, who worked at the Firm. As part of that campaign, DENNIS sent the victims thousands of harassing, threatening, and intimidating emails and text messages. * * * DENNIS, 59, of New York, New York, is charged with four counts of cyberstalking, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2261A(2)(b). Each count carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by the judge. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI. The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Sarah L. Kushner is in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. [1]Links to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation. Contact [email protected] [email protected] (212)637-2600 Updated November 19, 2021 Topic Cybercrime Component USAO - New York, Southern Press Release Number: 21-333