A woman in California was charged after police say she targeted her ex-boyfriend’s wife by posing as her online and placing Craigslist ads soliciting “rape fantasies.” Authorities say the ads led to an attack at the victim’s home.
The Orange County District Attorney said in a statement that Michelle Suzanne Hadley, of Ontario, Calif., pretended to be the victim, identified as Jane Doe, on Craigslist saying in advertisements that she “wanted to engage in ‘rape fantasies’ and sexual acts resembling rape.”
READ MORE: Pokemon Go meet ends in sexual assault arrest
Hadley faces several charges, including one felony count of stalking, one felony count of criminal threats and six felony counts of attempted forcible rape, according to the statement. She could face a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted.
Hadley had dated the victim’s husband, a U.S. Marshals Service agent, between 2013 and 2015, before the couple were married, according to the statement.
Prosecutors allege she also replied to Craigslist ads from male users who had posted to the site, sending them pictures of her former boyfriend’s wife, who was pregnant at the time,
“Hadley is accused of telling the responders that the victim wanted the responders to have forcible sexual intercourse with her, even if she screamed or resisted,” prosecutors said in the statement.
The woman was not raped, but people did respond to the postings.
“Several of the responders showed up at Jane Doe’s residence with the intention of raping the victim,” the statement said.
“One of the responders that went to the home and actually attempted to rape the victim but she managed to get away and call for help,” Roxi Fyad, a spokesperson for Orange County District Attorney, told Global News. “Physically she is OK.”
Fyad said the case highlights the need for caution when using or responding to sites like Craigslist.
“The public needs to be careful, when utilizing websites like this where you aren’t sure of the identity of who you are speaking with,” she said.
READ MORE: Edmonton police warn of ‘bad guys’ on the other end of Kijiji, Craigslist deals
Investigators also detailed how she sent the victim “numerous” emails in June and July, which threatened the woman, as well as her unborn child, using different computers and servers in order to avoid detection by law enforcement.
Hadley was arrested in late June but was released on $100,000 bail. Investigators allege she continued sending threatening emails, and posing as the woman with the “rape fantasy” advertisements.
“Hadley is accused of using increasingly violent language and threatening the victim’s life,” the release states.
Prosecutors say she was arrested again earlier this month and the investigation is ongoing.
- Cars torched, explosions heard in suspected arson in Montreal neighbourhood
- Green Party deputy leader given jail sentence for Fairy Creek old growth protests
- Gas station clerk stabbed several times during violent attack at Ultramar in Montreal
- Man acquitted in Tina Fontaine murder found dead, says her aunt
Comments