A Long Island man with a prior federal conviction admitted Friday that he sent hundreds of threatening emails to a woman and her family, then traveled to Western New York before his arrest.
Daniel Richter, 47, of Middle Island, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to cyberstalking. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Prosecutors said that between Dec. 24, 2023, and March 27, 2024, Richter sent hundreds of threatening and sexual emails to the victim’s personal email address. He threatened the woman and members of her family.
Over a two-day period in February 2024, Richter sent more than 50 emails, including one message that mentioned the victim’s son by name. He also sent multiple emails and Google voicemails on an almost daily basis. Authorities said the messages grew more threatening over time.
Richter threatened to visit the woman in person and threatened to kill her, according to prosecutors.
In March 2024, Richter traveled from California to the Western District of New York. Law enforcement officers arrested him at a local hotel.
Inside his hotel room, investigators found photos of the victim, handwritten notes listing her phone number, a black knit ski mask and several bottles of women’s hair dye.
Richter previously was convicted in September 2020 in the Western District of New York of interstate communication of a threat to injure. He served a 24-month prison sentence.
The Niagara County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI investigated the case.
Judge Sinatra scheduled sentencing for June 18.
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