The former commander of the San Diego-based warship Pearl Harbor was sentenced Friday to three years and one month in federal prison following his conviction for cyberstalking an ex-girlfriend by creating fake online accounts at his name and posting private photos to embarrass him. » federal prosecutors said.

Navy Capt. Theodore Essenfeld, 53, was convicted by a San Diego federal jury of identity theft for using the victim’s name and date of birth without authorization to create fake accounts.

The verdicts, handed down in July, followed a four-day trial in which prosecutors showed evidence of what they called in court documents “Essenfeld’s calculated and extensive 15-month campaign.” aimed at using imposter Facebook and LinkedIn accounts.

“Viewing this conduct as a single 15-month campaign understates the egregiousness of Essenfeld’s conduct,” the prosecution wrote in its sentencing memorandum. “This conduct cumulatively involved dozens, if not hundreds, of individual decisions and actions. »

Essesnfeld’s attorney, Kerry Armstrong, told the Union-Tribune that he was disappointed in the sentence and was hoping for prison time and probation instead. He said Essenfield intended to appeal the verdicts.

“He definitely made a huge error of judgment regarding his actions in this matter, but we do not believe his conduct was criminal in nature,” Armstrong said. “He proudly served his country for 34 years in the Navy, and it would be a shame if his incredibly successful career ended like this. »

Essenfeld has had several notable Navy assignments, including serving as commanding officer of Pearl Harbor from 2016 to 2018. In court documents, Armstrong said his client “was weeks away from taking command of the USS San Diego ( an amphibious landing ship). ) during his arrest” in the cyberstalking case.

San Diego U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath said in a news release that the conviction “marks the end of this perpetrator’s reign of cyber terror.”

“Cyberbullying is not just a nuisance or a harmless prank; it is a serious crime with devastating consequences,” McGrath said. “The torment endured by this victim has had a profound impact on her life, and those who think they can hide behind a screen must know that justice will prevail. »

According to the sentencing document filed by prosecutors, Essenfeld and the victim met while they both lived locally and continued a long-distance relationship after Essenfeld was transferred to a mission in Colorado.

After a difficult time and reconciliation, prosecutors say, Essenfeld opened fraudulent email accounts using the victim’s personal information, then used those accounts to register fake Facebook and LinkedIn profiles in the victim’s name.

After their breakup, the posts multiplied, prosecutors said. He allegedly posed as her, sometimes including her hometown, college and real work history, and interacted on dating groups, “soliciting the sexual interest of men,” prosecutors said. They said he posted private photos and explicit content, and also purchased a burner phone to log into the account.

“Each step was a single, calculated act in favor of Essenfeld’s goal of punishing and harming (the victim) for their breakup,” they claimed.

Essenfeld was first indicted in early 2023. Prosecutors said that while Essenfeld was at large awaiting trial, he created “fan club” accounts on social media with name, photos and personal information of the victim. Prosecutors pointed to U.S. District Judge Robert Huie, who ordered him detained about a month before trial.

At sentencing Friday, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Huie acknowledged the victim’s ordeal, praising her “courage and strength for coming forward.”