Man Sentenced to a Decade in Federal Prison for Cyberstalking Iowa Resident

Shaninth Michael Ray, age 38, from Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced today to ten years in federal prison.

Evidence in the case revealed between April 2023 and October 2023, Ray continuously threatened to kill an Iowa resident and members of the victim's family, after a no contact order was issued against Ray. Ray made his threats via telephone, text message, and video, through numerous platforms. Ray stated that he would "end" the victim's life and "bash [the victim's] face in with a rock." He also threatened to kill the victim in other various ways. In one of Ray's videos, he explicitly threatened to end the victim's life and displayed a gun.

Ray was arrested in Minnesota in October 2023 for possession of a gun as a convicted felon. Ray continued to contact the victim while in custody in Minnesota and Iowa. Ray's criminal history also includes numerous domestic abuse convictions, violations of protection orders, interference with emergency communications, assault causing bodily harm, possession of controlled substances, harassment, and obstruction.

Ray was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand to 120 months' imprisonment, consecutive to any other term of imprisonment. Judge Strand noted Ray's atrocious and disgraceful criminal history, as well as the horrific events in which he terrorized the victim and their family in this case. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Ray is being held in the United States Marshal's custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

This case was investigated by the Mason City, Iowa Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons.

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.plLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link..

The case file number is 24-3015.