Indian American Computer Consultant Indicted in Cyberstalking Campaign

A Seattle man employed as a cyber security consultant was indicted by a federal grand jury in Seattle, Washington, for conspiracy to engage in cyberstalking, three counts of cyberstalking in violation of criminal order,  and two counts of cyberstalking, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Sumit Garg, 31, allegedly sent electronic messages and made social media posts threatening sexual assault and other violence against multiple victims including a former roommate, her family members, boyfriend, police, and prosecutors. 

According to a detailed criminal complaint and the indictment in the case, Garg has been involved in an extensive campaign of threats and sexually explicit messaging and posts about a woman who used to share an apartment with his spouse. Using personal information, he accessed after he moved into the apartment with his spouse, and threatened and tormented the former roommate in violation of court order. He allegedly also used his computer skills to threaten multiple people in the former roommate’s life, including her uncle who represented her in obtaining a civil protection order; her current boyfriend; the Seattle Police Detective who investigated the threats; and even the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney who filed charges against Arg for his illegal stalking conduct. He also used his expertise to try to hide who was sending the threats or making the posts.  At one point in his scheme, Garg was videotaped in the lobby of the victim’s new apartment building at the same time photos were taken and sent of that location to frighten the victim.

Garg was transferred last week to federal custody and was ordered detained at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac on March 15. He will be arraigned on March 25, 2021.