Daniel Richter, 47, from Middle Island, New York, pleaded guilty to cyberstalking in federal court. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced the plea before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. The offense carries a possible sentence of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright said that between December 24, 2023, and March 27, 2024, Richter sent hundreds of threatening and sexual emails to a victim’s personal email address. He targeted both the victim and her family members. During February 2024 alone, Richter sent over 50 messages within two days and referenced the victim’s son by name in one of them.
According to prosecutors, Richter also used Google voicemails to contact the victim nearly every day as his threats escalated over time. “He threatened not only Victim 1, but members of her family as well,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Wright.
Richter allegedly threatened to visit the victim in person and threatened her life. In March 2024, he traveled from California to western New York where law enforcement arrested him at a hotel room containing photos of the victim, handwritten notes with her phone number, a black ski mask, and several bottles of women’s hair dye.
In September 2020, Richter was convicted for interstate communication of threat to injure in the Western District of New York and served a two-year prison sentence for that conviction.
The investigation was conducted by the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office led by Sheriff Michael Filicetti and the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Special Agent-in-Charge Philip Tejera.
Sentencing is set for June 18, 2026 before Judge Sinatra.
