Rhode Island man who sent threats to Massachusetts professor is sentenced to prison

Aug. 7--A Rhode Island man who pleaded guilty in connection with sending violent threats to a Massachusetts professor has been sentenced to nearly two years in prison.

Matthew Haviland, 30, of North Kingstown, R.I., was sentenced this week by U.S. District Court Judge Leo Sorokin to 21 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

Last year, Haviland pleaded guilty to one count of stalking and two counts of transmitting a threat in interstate commerce.

An affidavit by a federal agent said Haviland sent 28 emails in a little over a three-hour span last March to an unnamed university professor in Massachusetts who has spoken in favor of abortion rights and published highly critical views of President Trump.

The messages included such threats as, "I will rip every limb from your body" and "... laugh while you scream."

Haviland also wrote, "You will be held accountable for every (expletive) baby you murdered through your horrible deception of they are not humans," and even more troubling threats.

In another email, Haviland wrote that "all Democrats must be eradicated" and "They must be slaughtered."

Haviland also sent several emails to a professional school at the professor's university, including one message that stated, "You should be Murdered in cold blood."

U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling said in a statement, "The Constitution protects everyone's right to free speech, but there is a hard line between free speech and the stalking and harassment committed in this case. My office will enforce that line. Today's sentence affirms that these are serious crimes that warrant punishment."

Joseph Bonavolonta, special agent in charge of the FBI Boston Division, said in a statement, "Today's sentence cannot atone for the fear that Matthew Haviland caused, and the sense of security his victims lost, but it does hold him accountable for sending dozens of rage-filled emails threatening horrific acts of violence. The FBI will vigorously protect every individual's constitutional right to free speech but we will not allow anyone to hide behind the internet and put others in fear for their lives."

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