‘Lord Sparta’ gets jail term
By JESSIE STENSLAND
Whidbey News Times Assistant editor
November 14, 2008 · 4:45 PM
A 23-year-old Oak Harbor man was jailed for sending weirdly threatening messages, which he signed “Lord Sparta,” to his ex-girlfriend and her roommate.
Ryan Stephenson pleaded guilty in Island County Superior Court Nov. 10 to harassment (threats to kill) and violation of a no-contact, protection or restraining order.
Judge Alan Hancock sentenced Stephenson to 365 days in jail with 320 days suspended, which is basically a 45-day sentence unless he violates conditions of his release.
Hancock also ordered him to pay more than $1,500 in fines and fees.
According to court documents, an Oak Harbor man reported to police Oct. 28 that he had received strange and threatening letters, as well as emails, from Stephenson. The man was living with Stephenson’s ex-girlfriend, which apparently upset the defendant.
In one letter, Stephenson wrote that he was going to end mankind and bring about an end of the world. Stephenson wrote a message on the man’s MySpace page, threatening to kill him unless he leaves the woman.
Stephenson also left a letter for his ex-girlfriend, which violated a no-contact order.
Contact Whidbey News Times Assistant editor Jessie Stensland at jstensland@whidbeynewsgroup.com or 360.675.6611 ext. 5056.Comment on this story.
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