Richmond Police Charge Naragansett Man With Cyberstalking

RICHMOND, RI — A Narragansett man has been charged with misdemeanor domestic cyberstalking/cyber harassment following an investigation by the Richmond Police Department.

Bryan Wilson, 24, was arrested Wednesday night by Cranston police. He was turned over to Richmond police and held pending arraignment.

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The arrest followed a complaint filed at the Richmond Police Department. Det. Drew Bishop conducted an investigation and established probable cause, according to a news release from Richmond Police Chief Elwood M. Johnson, Jr.

Wilson pleaded not guilty Thursday in 4th District Court. He was released on $1,000 personal recognizance, issued a domestic no-contact order, and told to re-appear in court on June 21 for a pre-trial conference.

Under Rhode Island law, a person who uses a computer or electronic device for the sole purpose of harassing a person or their family may be fined up to $500 and imprisoned for up to a year. "Harassing" refers to a "knowing and willful course of conduct directed at a specific person which seriously alarms, annoys, or bothers the person, and which serves no legitimate purpose." The conduct must be of a kind that would cause a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress, or be in fear of bodily injury.

Prosecutors must prove a pattern of conduct composed of a series of acts over time, evidencing a continuity of purpose. Constitutionally protected activity is not included within the meaning of "course of conduct."