Just over a year after being charged with stealing private photographs from his ex-girlfriend’s phone and posting them on social media, 34-year-old Jeremy Smith has been sentenced to 24 months in jail and fined $2.5 million for cyber crime offenses related to the photo leak.
Smith, an IT Technician, was originally charged in July 2024 after his former girlfriend filed a complaint stating that he gained unauthorized access to her phone and WhatsApp messages, copying several private photos. He shared these images online after the woman had moved on from their relationship.
During the trial, the victim testified that she had to file additional police complaints against Smith due to ongoing harassment. According to her, he repeatedly called her phone and made threatening remarks after she pursued the criminal charges. The court also learned that two years prior to this incident, the woman had obtained a restraining order against Smith due to his constant threats.
This case highlights serious issues surrounding cyber harassment and privacy violations, with reports indicating that there are several similar cases currently before the courts. The outcome of Smith’s case serves as a significant reminder of the legal repercussions of cyber crimes.
