A federal judge has sentenced David Ryan Winters, 40, to three years in prison for cyberstalking. According to court records and information presented during the proceedings, Winters targeted gay men in the Raleigh-Durham area over nearly a decade.
Winters reportedly became angry with the local gay community due to perceived slights. Beginning around 2016, he engaged in online and in-person stalking of gay men. His actions included visiting victims’ homes, sending them photographs of their residences, discovering and sharing personal information, and sending threatening messages. He repeatedly threatened specific individuals as well as gay men generally, referencing his desire for national attention and mentioning the Pulse nightclub shooting in Florida.
In one instance, Winters went to a victim’s workplace where he broke a window and threw a metal trashcan at the victim’s car. His actions caused significant fear among those targeted, with some taking steps such as moving or implementing other protective measures.
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announced the sentencing after Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II handed down the sentence. The FBI and Raleigh Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin C. Blondel prosecuted the case.
“Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II.”
