Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
An Idaho man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to cyberstalking a Massachusetts professor over several months. Edward John Kay, 54, of Rigby, Idaho, admitted to one count of cyberstalking before U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick. Sentencing is scheduled for April 17, 2026.
Kay first met the victim in January 2025 after enrolling in an online course taught by the professor at a university extension school. Following a Zoom meeting and one virtual class session, Kay dropped the course but began harassing the professor through email and LinkedIn over a five-month period.
According to court documents, between January and June 2025, Kay sent more than 80 harassing messages via LinkedIn and email—including from at least one anonymous account. The communications included expressions of adoration as well as references to the victim’s minor child by name.
One LinkedIn message from Kay read: “I miss you-truly, deeply- with all of my heart and soul. That day I saw you on Zoom…You were the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Not just appearance. Everything. Your presence. Your mind. Your light. To gain you…and then to lose you like that? It devastated me.”
Another email sent to several university offices stated: “Dr. [victim’s last name] has been copied on all communications. She knows what is coming.” The message added that this was only the “VERY BEGINNING” because “Every day, starting today, will mark a **new action of serious consequence**, taken by me in accordance with divine alignment and institutional justice.”
Kay also used an anonymous email address resembling the victim’s name to send messages professing his love for her and encouraging her to leave the university: “You are still free. But you are not unreachable.”
Additionally, Kay informed another university professor about his fixation on the victim and his intent to separate her from her husband.
The charge of cyberstalking carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine up to $250,000; sentencing decisions are made according to federal guidelines.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division announced the plea agreement on Tuesday. The FBI Salt Lake City office and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the investigation; Assistant U.S. Attorney Allegra Flamm is prosecuting.
