Man gets three years for cyberstalking relatives
A man who authorities say sent threatening messages to a female relative pleaded guilty to cyberstalking charges Thursday and was sentenced to three years in prison.
Steven Karavidas, 44, of Parshall, Colorado, must serve at least half of his sentence before he is eligible for parole, which will last four years after his release.
Karavidas texted and phoned the Arlington Heights woman more than 100 times between Oct. 14, 2013, and Jan. 13, 2015, prosecutors said. The messages included obscene language, accusations against the woman and another relative, and references to weapons he possessed, prosecutors said.
"He threatened (the victim's) safety and her life," Cook County assistant state's attorney Mike Gerber said of Karavidas.
Cook County Judge Bridget Hughes noted that while Karavidas never acted on his threats to the woman, the threats "impacted her ability to feel safe."
Hughes granted the woman and her family an order of protection, effective until Sept. 24, 2024, prohibiting Karavidas from contacting them.
During an April bond hearing, prosecutors referred to phone calls Karavidas made in February 2015 to police departments in Arlington Heights and Woodstock indicating he intended to harm the victims.
In a Feb. 23, 2015, message he left on the Daily Herald news tip line, Karavidas stated, "I will be on my way to town. I will be killing two people."
Acting on an arrest warrant, Grand County, Colorado, sheriff's police recovered a fully loaded .22 revolver and 26 bullets from Karavidas. In his home, police found a hunting rifle loaded with three rounds and another 23 rounds on a dresser.
Karavidas, who has a conviction for harassing a public official, received credit for 234 days in custody. He also has an aggravated battery case pending in Colorado.
"I'm sorry for everything," he said, describing the situation as "a family issue." "I hope everyone can move forward."
"There are multiple reasons why he lashes out at family members," the victim said. "Hopefully, he will seek help."