BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Luke Marshall Wenke, 29, of Olean, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to cyberstalking. The charges carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles M. Kruly and David J. Rudroff, who are handling the case, stated that between January 23 and Jan. 24, 2022, Wenke threatened to injure an individual identified as R.G. in Minnesota. R.G. is a criminal defense attorney who represents an acquaintance of Wenke’s in a criminal matter in the District of Minnesota. Beginning in September 2020, Wenke grew dissatisfied with the representation that R.G. provided to the acquaintance, and began to harass and threaten R.G. Between Sept. 22, 2020, and Jan. 24, 2022, Wenke sent R.G. more than 76 emails, a voicemail, made two phone calls to R.G.’s law firm, and attempted to visit R.G.’s law firm in-person on one occasion, in addition to numerous fake internet reviews of R.G.’s law firm. Several of the communications referenced Wenke’s possession of firearms, and/or his familiarity with explosives.
On Jan. 23, 2022, Wenke sent R.G. an email in which he stated, among other things, “They say men respect each other after a fight. I will gladly take a steel chair to your face until I get what I want here. You don’t respect me... but you will." On Jan. 24, 2022, Wenke sent another email to R.G. in which he stated, among other things, “This fight will happen, do not fear and do not worry. Do not cross certain lines. Oh boy do I have work to do tomorrow." That same day, Wenke sent another email and attached a photo depicting an arial view of R.G.’s residence.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia and the Olean Police Department, under the direction of Chief Ron Richardson.
Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 18, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Sinatra. #
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
