Leander police say a man used social websites to get back at his ex-girlfriend. Jason Eric Leonard is charged with online harassment -- a third degree felony.

The woman told police she found out about the fraudulent postings because she began getting calls and received a naked picture from a man. All said they were responding to an ad on Craigslist which said the woman was looking for sexual encounters. The trouble is, she did not post the ad.

Details and video.

[This new law became effective 9/1/09. Have you had cases in your jurisdiction yet?]

The fraudulent Facebook page he created is clearly within the scope of the original 33.07, but there's has been a lot of debate about whether Craigslist postings qualify under that section. In response, the legislature expanded 33.07 to include almost any internet website--including Craigslist--as of 9/1/11.

Be sure to bone up on all the recent changes by coming to one of TDCAA's Legislative Updates this summer!

I've filed a couple cases under 33.07. They take a LOT of resources to go about actually proving who made the posting. Short of getting a confession, it's far more work than any other 3rd that I can think of.

I've done several of these. They are very interesting and come in all forms you just need to make sure they are worked up properly in the beginning.

So, what punishment is appropriate?

Hmmmmmmm...... something less than castration, I would think.

Was the "suggestive" pose in Facebook photoshopped, or just another person entirely?

Was the Craigslist ad obscene? Was she pictured? Did he put in her phone number? Was an email given or were the replies generated through a Craigslist server to an otherwise unknown email?

If the revenge had been plotted by a woman against a man, would people just think it was "funny"? Let's not establish a double standard. It's commonly said "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned", and I think most men would find the revenge a minor annoyance (whether they deserved it or not).

Very interesting - give one a lot to think about.