FBI agent from Castro Valley under allegations of cyberstalking
A federal grand jury indicted a former FBI agent from Castro Valley under allegations of cyberstalking, witness tampering, and obstruction of a criminal investigation by bribery, the United States Department of Justice announced Wednesday.
Paul Raymond Flood, 54, is accused of cyberstalking a first-year law student who contacted him about pursuing a career with the FBI in the future. Flood made “unwelcome” romantic advances to the victim after she first contacted him in October 2018 and even talked her into a “sham marriage,” the DOJ said.
Flood had a diamond ring delivered to the victim just weeks after they were introduced. He also used 79 different phone numbers to call and text the victim over the span of a year, per the DOJ.
Flood allegedly told the victim that he was surveilling her and her family and pressured a family member to have her unblock him. The victim did not report Flood for fear of retaliation until June 2019.
The FBI suspended Flood after the complaint and began to investigate his behavior. After this, Flood threatened suicide and successfully bribed the victim into not participating in the investigation, according to the DOJ.
Flood talked her into a sham marriage, even buying her a $17,000 engagement ring. However, the woman did not follow through with the marriage.
The ex-FBI agent now faces a litany of charges including cyberstalking, witness tampering by harassment and obstruction of a criminal investigation by bribery.
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