Charges fi led in 17-year harassment of sheriff
Delaware County Sheriff Russell Martin was the victim of scurrilous personal attacks, and threats in letters and on Internet web pages, from a man he arrested more than 17 years ago for stalking, federal court documents say.
William E. Young, 54, of Columbus, was arrested Tuesday by FBI agents and indicted on Thursday for one count of cyberstalking by a federal grand jury at the U.S. District Court in Columbus. Young is scheduled to appear Friday morning for a hearing at the federal courthouse Downtown.
The federal documents list the victim only as “R.M.,” though it is evident the affidavit is talking about Sheriff Martin. In a written statement, Martin confirmed that he is Young’s victim and has had to deal with harassment for more than 17 years.
“Over the last three decades in law enforcement, I’ve arrested or investigated thousands of criminals, many of them violent and extremely dangerous. The man the FBI arrested has threatened and harassed me and my family for years, and while I signed up for this job, my family didn’t,” Martin’s statement said.
“We deserve to be safeguarded from danger — just as any other citizen. I’m appreciative that the FBI and the United States attorney’s office took action to arrest and charge this suspect. I’ll cooperate with prosecutors and continue to work hard as sheriff, protecting the people of Delaware County,” he said.
Martin and Young first encountered each other in October 1999. Martin was then a member of the Delaware Police Department. He was one of the officers who arrested Young at that time for menacing in connection with the stalking of a woman.
Since that time, Young has threatened Martin and subjected him to continual harassment, court documents state. The harassment took place on a number of fronts.
Young created four web pages that hurled accusations at Martin, including calling Martin a “pedophile” and “corrupt cop.” One web page contained graphic images that were altered so it appeared that Martin was having sex with a baby, according to court documents.
There were about 60 letters that Young sent to Martin’s wife and family, neighbors, physician, barber, fellow church members and his pastor and pastor’s wife. In addition, Young sent similar letters about Martin to Ohio Wesleyan College, Delaware City Hall, the Delaware Chamber of Commerce, the Delaware mayor’s office and Delaware City Council members, court documents show.
“Letters varied in length from three to 92 pages, and often included court records related to the 1999 conviction ( of Young) and documents related to the civil lawsuits that Young filed against the victim ( officer) and a fellow officer,” U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman in Columbus said in a prepared statement.
When Young was interviewed by Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation agents in May 2010, he stated that he wanted Martin fired and wanted him to “eat his gun.”
In a December 2014 letter to Martin, Young gave his cellphone number and stated: “Call me and I’ll meet you anywhere other than in Delaware and give you the ass-whipping you have earned.”
In September 2015, Young is accused of mailing a 62-page letter to Martin’s spouse that stated: “I’ll force his hand if the powers that be make the mistake of coming after me again. Then I’ll take everyone down who had a hand in what was done to me one by one.”
The continual threats caused Martin to experience “emotional distress” because he lived in “constant fear” and had to be on his guard due to Young’s behavior, court documents state.
Martin “has significantly changed his lifestyle over the last 17 years due to Young’s behavior... lives wondering if Young is going to be in his bushes when he opens the garage door to leave his home. (Martin) always makes sure his gun hand is free in the event that he would need to quickly draw his weapon,” court documents say.
Martin’s wife told authorities she is always concerned about being alone at their home and that Young is the sole reason they have installed security cameras, court records show.
If Young is convicted, he could face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.