Daniel Richter, 47, from Middle Island, New York, pleaded guilty to cyberstalking in federal court, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo. The plea was entered before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright explained that between December 24, 2023, and March 27, 2024, Richter sent hundreds of threatening and sexual emails to the personal email address of Victim 1. Some messages also targeted members of her family. In one instance during February 2024, Richter sent over 50 emails within two days and specifically referenced Victim 1’s son by name. The harassment included frequent emails and Google voicemails that became increasingly threatening over time.
Wright stated that Richter threatened to visit Victim 1 in person and made threats against her life. In March 2024, Richter traveled from California to the Western District of New York where he was arrested at a hotel. Law enforcement officers discovered photos of Victim 1, handwritten notes with her phone number, a black knit ski mask, and several bottles of women’s hair dye in his hotel room.
Richter has a prior conviction from September 2020 for interstate communication of threat to injure in the Western District of New York for which he served a sentence of two years in prison.
The investigation was conducted by the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Michael Filicetti and the Federal Bureau of Investigation led by Special Agent-in-Charge Philip Tejera.
Sentencing is set for June 18, 2026 before Judge Sinatra.
"The plea is the result of an investigation by the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Michael Filicetti, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Philip Tejera."
