Man Pleads Guilty to Cyberstalking North Iowa Resident

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — A Chicago man has pleaded guilty in federal court to cyberstalking an Iowa resident after making repeated threats over several months, including threats involving a firearm.

Shaninth Michael Ray, 38, entered his guilty plea in U.S. District Court in Sioux City.

According to court records, between April and October 2023, Ray made ongoing threats to kill the victim and members of the victim’s family, even after a no-contact order had been issued. The threats were sent through phone calls, text messages, and videos across multiple platforms. In one instance, Ray displayed a firearm while making threats.

Ray was arrested in Minnesota in October 2023 on a separate charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Authorities say he continued to contact the victim while in custody.

Officials also cited Ray’s criminal history, which includes prior convictions for domestic abuse, violations of protection orders, assault causing bodily injury, harassment, and drug-related offenses.

Ray remains in federal custody pending sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in prison and could receive up to 10 years, along with a fine of up to $250,000 and three years of supervised release.

The case was investigated by the Mason City Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ron Timmons and Ashley Corkery.