A New Hope couple has been arrested for cyberstalking.
Jennifer Henderson Andrews, 41, and Scott Douglas Andrews, 44, of 220 Andrews Road, were arrested by investigators with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department last week after posting disparaging comments about Andrews’ ex-wife on the couple’s Facebook pages.
According to investigators, the ex-wife asked the couple to stop posting comments, which included personal information about her, but the Andrews continued. Investigators say the couple’s actions constitute cyberstalking.
According to investigators, the couple was “repeatedly harassing” the victim.
Cyberstalking is defined by Mississippi law as the unlawful “use in electronic mail or electronic communication any words or language threatening to inflict bodily harm to any person or to that person’s child, sibling, spouse or dependent, or physical injury to the property of any person, or for the purpose of extorting money or other things of value from any person.”
Harassing texts, emails and posts on social media is considered cyberstalking under the law.
“It is unlawful for a person to electronically mail or electronically communicate to another repeatedly, whether or not conversation ensues, for the purpose of threatening, terrifying or harassing any person,” the code reads.
Cyberstalking carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Jennifer Andrews is currently on probation for an uttering forgery charge, according to records at the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center.
Jennifer Andrews and Scott Andrews were each released Friday on a $5,000 bond.
Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.
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