Yankees arrested for Cyberstalking

An Andover couple arrested while jogging today is accused of launching a cyber attack against their neighbors – from reportedly signing them up for a nudist group to filing false reports to child welfare workers about their kids, prosecutors charged today.

Bill Johnson, 50, was ordered held on $2,000 cash bail and his wife, Gail Johnson, 50, was ordered held on $1,000 cash bail for their alleged part in the months-long harassment and adult pranks – all waged over a land dispute, prosecutors claim.

The couple was charged with identity fraud, criminal harassment, conspiracy and filing a frivolous child abuse report during their arraignment in Lawrence District Court. An acquaintance of the Johnsons has already been charged in connection with the case.

“If you aren’t miserable, I ain’t happy. Let’s play,” read one nasty e-mail sent to the Johnsons’ High Vale Lane neighbors in March, according to a police report.
Prosecutors claim that the Johnsons’ neighbors — a married couple who appear to be in their 40s or 50s — were signed up as members of the American Association for Nude Recreation, and received a letter thanking them for donating a boat to charity.

In April, a letter was sent to the male alleged victim confirming that he wanted donate his body to science, prosecutors said. “(He) felt it was a direct threat on his life,” according to a police report.

Assistant District Attorney Maura Officer suggested that the Johnsons engaged in a “disturbing” series of events as part of an ugly land dispute with the alleged victims.
She claimed that the Johnsons, with the aid of the third party, took part in the posting of a fake craiglist.com ad for the sale of nine golf carts, as well as the sale of a 1973 Harley and listed their neighbors phone number, noting that calls should be made after 10 p.m.
The alleged victims were bombarded with calls and visits from strangers seeking to buy the items, Officer alleged.

The Johnsons also allegedly made a false report to the Department of Children and Families, prompting social workers to show up at the couple’s home late one night to interview their 14-year-old son.

The alleged victims also received e-mails indicating that someone had acquired all their personal information, including Social Security numbers, cell phones, their home address and names of their children, Officer alleged.
In March, someone used one of the victim’s Social Security numbers to try to open a bank account, according to the police report.

The alleged victims were in court today, but declined comment.

Bill Johnson’s attorney, Ronald J. Ranta, argued that in fact the third party, Gerald D. Colton of Lowell, 55, an acquaintance of the Johnsons who was charged in June with stalking and identity fraud in connection with the case, performed much of the computer harassment.

Colton pleaded not guilty and was ordered held on $7,500 cash bail.
“All these acts were done from Mr. Colton’s computer,” Ranta said.

Gail Johnson’s attorney asked that her client be released on her own personal recognizance, given that she is the primary caretaker for the couple’s three teen-aged children, as well as her cancer-stricken parents.