Leigha Simonton, United States Attorney, Northern District of Texas | U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas
A 29-year-old man from Lubbock has pleaded guilty to cyberstalking after sending explicit images of his ex-girlfriend to her family and employer. Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Chad Meacham, announced that Huston Tyler McLearen was indicted in November 2024 and entered his plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Amanda “Amy” R. Burch.
"Cyberstalking is a uniquely vicious crime with devastating impacts on its victims," stated U.S. Attorney Chad Meacham. He commended the victim for overcoming fear and reporting the crime, emphasizing the commitment of the U.S. Attorney’s Office to support her.
FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock praised the victim's courage in reporting McLearen despite threats against her life. "The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to do everything in our power to seek justice for victims," he said.
Court documents reveal that in June 2024, McLearen's ex-girlfriend, referred to as Jane Doe, reported harassment by McLearen through a tip submitted to the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center (NTOC). After their breakup, McLearen allegedly bombarded Ms. Doe with messages urging suicide and threatened to distribute explicit photos online.
Evidence showed that McLearen contacted Ms. Doe up to 39 times daily and created social media profiles sharing lewd images of her publicly. He admitted during a recorded call to sending nude images of Ms. Doe to her brother, father, and employer.
In this call presented at his detention hearing, McLearen made disturbing remarks about women and expressed intent to harm Jane Doe under certain conditions.
McLearen could face up to five years in federal prison; however, no sentencing date has been set yet.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office with help from Texas Tech University Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Rancourt is handling prosecution duties.
Victims of cyberstalking are encouraged by The National Domestic Violence Hotline to create safety plans by visiting their website or calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
