Elizabeth A. Thrasher of Missouri allegedly posted a photograph a 17-year-old girl, along with the girl's personal information, under the "Casual Encounters" category of Craigslist. The girl was the daughter of her ex-husband's girlfriend.
Thrasher was charged with felony cyberbullying on August 18, 2009.http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stcharles/story/8AB6F2E2AECA2EE586257616000AAD81?OpenDocument In the fake Craigslist ad, Thrasher allegedly listed the girl's cell phone number, e-mail address and suggested that the girl was looking to have a sexual encounter. The 17-year-old was then contacted by men who sent her e-mails, text messages and pornographic images.http://www.nypost.com/seven/08182009/news/nationalnews/woman_charged_with_cyberbullying_185221.htm
Practical Joke Defense
Prosecutors say Thrasher was arguing with the teens mother. The teen allegedly sent sent Thrasher a MySpace message "telling her to grow up." Thrasher's attorney said the fake Craigslist add was meant as a "practical joke" and said the new cyberbullying law was poorly written.http://www.bostonherald.com/news/national/midwest/view/20090818woman_charged_with_cyber_bullying/srvc=home&position=recent
References
Fast Facts
-
Born
-
Fact:
Thrasher is the first person to be charged under the new felony cyberbulling law
-
Fact:
The felony cyberbullying law was passed after the Internet hoax by Lori Drew that led to the suicide of Megan Meier
-
Fact:
Thrasher resides in St. Charles County, the same county where Lori Drew resided
-
Fact:
Thrasher was charged with one count of harassing a (cyber) victim under the age of 18
-
Full name
Elizabeth Ann Thrasher
-
Fact:
Resides in Saint Peters, Missouri
-
Fact:
Thrasher has two children
