BUFFALO, N.Y. — A man from California is facing charges again for allegedly stalking a victim that he was previously convicted for in 2008.
Daniel Richter, 45, is charged with cyberstalking.
Investigators with the US Attorney's Office say that the stalking began as early as 2002. They say Richter had sent bizarre emails to the victim for a short time in 2002 who he had met at the University at Buffalo.
In 2007, Richter sent postcards with strange messages to the victim, as well as harassing voicemail messages to the victim's work phone. Richter was arrested by the Niagara County Sheriff's Office in 2008. He later pled guilty to Stalking in the 4th Degree. He was given a fine and an order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim.
Investigators say in 2018, Richter contacted the victim again by phone and emails. In September 2020, Richter was convicted of interstate communication of threat to injure and was sentenced to serve 24 months in federal prison.
After completing his sentence in December 2023, Richter was accused of trying to contact the victim again.
Between December 25, 2023 and February 6, 2024, the victim allegedly received 94 voice message from Richter. Investigators say that Richter also allegedly sent more than 600 emails since February.
Many of the messages are incoherent and sexual in nature, and/or threatening comments directed at the victim, according to the US Attorney's Office.
In one of the emails, investigators say Richter allegedly tells the victim he would travel to Western New York to see her on March 28. Law enforcement officers found Richter at a hotel in Amherst, NY after flying to Buffalo from Los Angeles.
Investigators say that they found a photo of the victim, the victim's contact information, a ski mask and hair dye in his hotel room.
Richter appeared in Federal Court for his arraignment. He is do to return to court on April 4.
If Richter is convicted of the latest charges, he could face up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
