HOUSTON—There are more than 800 million active users on Facebook. One of them, a man from Spring, is accused of using the social media site as a tool of terror.
"We as a society need to say that it’s not OK," said Rebecca White, president of the Houston Area Women’s Center.
White was speaking out about online stalking, something she’s seeing a lot of these days. Just this week, authorities in Harris County charged Timothy Stinson with stalking his ex-girlfriend.
Stinson and the victim broke up in 2007, but ever since then, she said he’s harassed her. According to a criminal affidavit, many of his threats were posted on Facebook.
Court documents state that Stinson sent the victim several text messages, threatening her and her daughter. He’s also accused of leaving threatening voicemails on the victim’s sister’s phone, saying he was going to burn down her house.
But on Facebook, the harassment went public.
Court documents state that Stinson posted the victim’s picture and called her a whore.
The victim said Stinson also posted her father’s photo, captioning it with his home address, phone number and a string of insults, including the assertion that he was a "lonely old drunk."
Then, the victim said Stinson posted photos of her sisters, posting a home address, phone number, work information and derogatory comments like "she puts out" and "she looks like a troll."
"That’s abuse," said White. "That’s exerting power over another individual. That’s intimidation."
The victim told investigators she feared for her life and for the safety of her loved ones.
Experts believe people can protect themselves on Facebook by keeping pictures and certain information private.
"And you should decide, ‘Do I want everyone to know this?" said White.
But with perpetrators just a keystroke away, stopping the crime has become increasingly difficult.
Stalking charges were filed against Stinson on November 1, 2011, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. As of Thursday afternoon, he was not in custody.
