A Minnesota man pled guilty in federal court on Tuesday to sending threatening emails to a Boston College student in 2016 after creating fake pornographic images of her, according to a District of Massachusetts U.S. Attorney’s Office release.
“Cyberstalking, harassment, and digital threats are serious crimes that victims – overwhelmingly women – endure far too often,” U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins said in a statement to The Heights. “We will continue our tireless work with fellow law enforcement partners to identify predators like Mr. Bolduan, expose them, and hold them accountable.”
U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya Zobel sentenced 47-year-old Eric Bolduan to 14 months in prison and three years of supervised release, the release said. The judge also ordered Bolduan to stay away from the victim, have no contact with her, and pay her restitution—or monetary compensation.
If Bolduan’s case had gone to trial, he would have faced up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
Bolduan was indicted on April 6, 2021 on one count of transmitting a threat to injure another person in interstate commerce, or across state lines.
The release said that Bolduan harassed the BC student over email. He downloaded pictures of her through social media and posted them alongside pornagraphic images of a different woman who looked similar to her on several pornographic websites, creating the impression the pictures were of the same person.
“You will experience things that will give you nightmares for the rest of your life,” Bolduan wrote in one email to the victim on May 5, 2016. “I want to look into your eyes as you experience pain at levels you never imagined were possible. By the time I’m done with you your body will be shattered and broken.”
According to the release, Bolduan attached the pornographic images in the same email. Bouldan later sent an email to multiple BC email addresses where he included the victim’s name alongside the images. He sent another email to the victim five days later, the release reads.
Bolduan was also charged in 2019 with stalking and threatening college students online and was sentenced to over 14 years in federal prison.
Rollins said the BC student should have been enjoying and thriving in college, but instead, she was terrorized, sexually objectified, and threatened by “a coward on a computer.”
“Although we cannot erase the fear and pain she endured, we can bring accountability and justice to her and other cyberstalking victims through our pursuit and prosecutions,” Rollins said.
Associate Vice President for University Communications Jack Dunn said that BC police should be commended for its efforts with the case.
“We are pleased that justice has been served in this sordid case, which victimized an innocent BC student,” Dunn said. “BC Police should be commended for their diligent efforts on behalf of the victim and the BC community.”
Featured Graphic by Annie Corrigan / Heights Editor
