LOS ANGELES (KNX) — A British national was sentenced to more than three years in federal prison on Monday for waging a campaign of online threats.
Samuel Trelawney Hughes, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of stalking, one count of witness tampering, and one count of making threats by interstate communication in October of last year. The charges arose from the Pasadena resident's alleged threats of rape, murder, dismemberment, and immolation, which he sent to victims anonymously by email, text, and even the postal service.
"You know I am going to cut out your throat," Hughes allegedly wrote in a 2019 message. "I will enjoy every moment of killing you."
Prosecutors alleged Hughes met six of the victims at networking events and three though jobs as an IT worker. Two never met him but were targeted because of links to other victims.
Hughes' conduct after meeting victims would reportedly follow a pattern. After an initial encounter at an event or at work, he would "communicate with the victim from an email or soecial media account, seeking further social interaction," according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. When victims did not accept invitations to meet again, Hughes would launch campaigns of threats against them, usually from anonymous online accounts he "used and created to disguise his identity," authorities said, but occasionally from accounts in his own name.
"Multiple victims described Hughes' aggressive in-person approach as making them feel uncomfortable," the 2020 complaint said.
Victims reportedly told police they stopped attending networking events in the Pasadena area and became convinced that Hughes would effect his gruesome, graphic threats. One woman stopped going to work all together and eventually quit her job after Hughes allegedly barraged her with anonymous threats of rape, stabbing, and being set on fire.
Court filings indicated Hughes was admitted to a hospital on psychiatric hold at some point before his arrest in June 2020. That admission came after it was reported he expressed on social media a desire to self harm.
"After being contacted by both federal and state law enforcement officers on multiple occasions regarding the threatening communications, Hughes continued to send electronic communications and letters threatening to injure, rape and kill victims," the U.S. Attorney's Office claimed. In communications to some victims, Hughes threatened that contacting the police would lead to her injury or murder, or attacks on family members.
Hughes's "use of anonymizing techniques and planning allowed him to avoid identification – and punishment – for months while he continued his online harassment campaigns," a sentencing memorandum prepared by prosecutors read. "[Hughes'] conduct traumatized the victims, putting many in fear for their lives and the lives of family members. Some feared going to work or even leaving their homes."
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