Pasadena Man Gets More Than 3 Years In Prison For Online Threats

LOS ANGELES, CA — A British national who lives in Pasadena was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison Monday after he pleaded guilty last year to making a series of graphic threats on the internet to harm, rape and kill multiple people.

Sam Hughes, 33, pleaded guilty last year to one count each of stalking, witness tampering and making threats by interstate communication, according to the United States Attorney’s Office.

Hughes stalked and sent anonymous messages to multiple people from May 2019 to June 2020, federal officials said. One email Hughes sent to someone stated in part that “someone I can guarantee will come out and first bash you[r] head in, rape you, slash your throat and burn your car and house,” according to court documents.

U.S. District Judge Dale Fischer called Hughes’ conduct in the message “horrendous,” the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

Federal officials said Hughes' conduct followed a set pattern.

He would meet his victim while at a networking event or through his job. The victims would typically be a woman.

He would later try to communicate with the victim through social media or email, "seeking further social interaction with the victim or inviting the victim to meet him at a future date in a one-on-one setting," officials said.

If a victim declined to talk to Hughes, he would anonymously send them threatening messages, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Hughes used email, social media and the U.S. Postal Service to send threatening messages to his victims, federal officials said.

He continued to send threatening messages to his victims after being confronted by federal and state law enforcement officers.

"His use of anonymizing techniques and planning allowed him to avoid identification – and punishment – for months while he continued his online harassment campaigns," prosecutors said. "[Hughes’] conduct traumatized the victims, putting many in fear for their lives and the lives of family members. Some feared going to work or even leaving their homes."