Internet Stalker Sentenced to More than 14 Years in Federal Prison

DENVER – Eric Ronald Bolduan of Rochester, Minnesota was sentenced to 171 months in federal prison for stalking and making interstate threats against college students, U.S. Attorney Jason R. Dunn and FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Dean Phillips announced.  United States District Court Judge Christine Arguello entered the sentence against Bolduan on January 24, 2019.  Bolduan was remanded into the custody of the United States Marshals.  After serving his sentence, Bolduan is required to register as a sex offender.

Bolduan pled guilty without a plea agreement on September 6, 2018, to stalking and making interstate threats.  According to facts relied upon during sentencing, including a statement of facts filed with the Court, Bolduan sent emails and text messages to a female student at the University of Colorado, threatening to kill her and her sister.  He then posted pictures of the victim’s face on pornography websites, listing her actual contact information.  His posts included pornographic pictures of women that were not the victim, but resembled her.  Bolduan then sent messages to the victim, stating his intent to spend his free time “hunting you!”  He wrote:  “I will find you and watch you – sticking to the shadows, learning your patterns.  When the time is right I will strike…”

The investigation revealed that Bolduan sent similar emails, text messages, and posts to a total of four victims in Colorado, but also to other victims at universities and high schools across the country.  The defendant used an “anonymizer” which prevented his victims from learning his actual name or from knowing from where the threatening emails, text messages, or posts were coming.  The messages were sent not only to female victims, but also to other students, friends, and family members.

“The victims in this case experienced real and profound suffering because of the acts of this defendant,” said United States Attorney Jason Dunn.  “It’s possible that more young women have been victimized but just haven’t been able to identify their assailant.  We encourage anyone who has experienced this kind of threat to call the FBI.”

“Eric Bolduan’s sentence illustrates the FBI’s commitment to protecting our communities,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Dean Phillips. “The FBI will continue to work diligently with our law enforcement partners and the United States Attorney’s Office to investigate and prosecute cases involving online threats and attempts to victimize innocent citizens through the Internet.”

Individuals who believe they may be victims are encouraged to contact the FBI at the following number: (303) 629-7171 (Option 1)

This case was investigated by the Denver Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation together with the University of Colorado and Boulder Police Departments.  Assistant United States Attorney Valeria Spencer is handling this prosecution.