Behind the Badge
OCSD investigators have arrested a man suspected of stalking more than 15 women on social media platforms and threatening violence against them, the OCSD said in a news release on Monday, Dec. 11.
Investigators think that number may be higher, and are asking anyone with information to contact OCSD at (714) 647-7000 or to call the anonymous Orange County Crime Stoppers tip line at 855-TIP-OCCS.
Dominic Luis Magdaleno, 25, of La Habra was arrested Thursday, Dec. 7, at the La Habra Public Library, following a six-month investigation into his online activity.
Dominic Luis Magdaleno, 25, of La Habra. Provided by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
Magdaleno was booked on suspicion of felony stalking, felony witness intimidation, and felony criminal threats, and is being held on $500,000 bail. He was expected in court on Monday, Dec. 11.
OCSD Dana Point Police Services Investigators collected evidence over six months showing the man using the social media sites Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr “to stalk, harass and threaten multiple female victims,” the department stated. The man had, in some instances, “threatened to sexually assault, rape and even kill the victims.”
Magdaleno is also accused of sending text messages and emails to multiple women.
OCSD launched the investigation after a 19-year-old woman reported that the man was harassing her on her Instagram account. She had ignored the man’s behavior at first, but reported him to authorities as the behavior escalated, OCSD stated.
Though it is becoming more common for teens and young adults to make their social media accounts public, OCSD said, it is safest to keep accounts private and only accept follow requests from people you already know.
When an account is public, OCSD recommends not posting any identifying information such as your full name, phone number, address, city, or school; not tagging your location; keeping posts vague; monitoring messages daily; and reporting any threats of violence.
