Public Relations Office | Berklee College of Music student convicted of threatening and stalking Chinese democracy promoter

A federal jury has convicted a People’s Republic of China national and Berklee College of Music student of stalking and threatening individuals who distributed leaflets supporting Chinese democracy around the Berklee campus.

Xiaolei Wu, 26, was found guilty after a four-day jury trial of one count of cyberstalking, one count of interstate sending threatening communications, and one count of stalking, according to court documents and evidence presented at trial. received the verdict. Mr. Wu was arrested and indicted on criminal charges in December 2022, and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2023.

“Today’s decision by a jury in the District of Massachusetts affirms the Department’s commitment to ensuring that all U.S. residents can freely exercise their fundamental rights,” said Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division. It emphasizes that.”

“No one in this country should be subjected to threats of violence or cyberstalking harassment campaigns for expressing their political views.” He has been convicted of a felony for unlawfully suppressing student speech. This type of conduct will never be tolerated,” said Joshua S. Levy, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. “The Department of Justice is committed to protecting the fundamental right of free speech for all people. Our office is committed to protecting the fundamental right of free speech for all people. We will hold you accountable.”

Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division, said, “Wu Xiaolei’s actions in attempting to silence and intimidate activists who expressed disagreement with the ruling Chinese Communist Party are not only crimes, but also threats to our nation. “This is completely contrary to our democratic values.” “Today’s guilty verdict upholds one of our most fundamental rights, free speech, and the FBI will continue to defend anyone who seeks to violate this right through intimidation or harassment. I guarantee you will meet the same fate as Mr.

Beginning on or about October 22, 2022, and continuing until October 24, 2022, Mr. Wu conducted a series of communications via WeChat, email, and Instagram to the victim who posted the flyer. Wu said, among other things, “Post more and I’ll cut your asshole’s hand off.” He also told the victims that they would inform Chinese public security agencies about their actions, and that Chinese public security agencies would “send greetings” to the victims’ families. Additionally, Wu allegedly asked others to find out where the victim lived, published the victim’s email address, and allegedly abused the victim online in hopes that others would abuse the victim online. reported the information on the person to Chinese government officials.

Mr. Wu was found guilty of cyberstalking, which carried a statutory penalty of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Interstate transmission of threatening communications carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI investigated the incident.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy H. Kisner and Alatheia E. Porter for the District of Massachusetts are prosecuting this case with assistance from Trial Attorney Menno Gordman of the National Security Agency’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Division.