MA Man Arrested Over Racist Facebook Messages Sent To Interracial Couple: Prosecutors

A 45-year-old Massachusetts man has been arrested for allegedly threatening an interracial couple via social media and attempting to prevent the couple from reporting the harassment to law enforcement, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Stephen M. DeBerardinis, of Boston and Dedham, is accused of using Facebook Messenger to send the unnamed couple a series of threatening and harassing messages concerning the couple's interracial relationship on or about Jan. 6, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts said in a statement.

The couple, a white woman and a Black man, announced their engagement on Facebook in late December 2020, posting photographs of themselves that were visible to DeBerardinis.

DeBerardinis, who did not know the couple personally, allegedly sent the victims a message via Facebook Messenger that read: "EWWWWWWWW YOUR (sic) A N----- F----- F------ DIRTY A-- WHITE TRASH," according to the indictment.

After the man allegedly continued sending the victims similar messages, the couple responded to DeBerardinis saying they were reporting him to law enforcement. DeBerardinis allegedly replied, "SNITCHES GET STITCHES," along with an image of brass knuckles, prosecutors said.

"Read up more on me lol… you will see how me and my crew burn n-----s alive," DeBerardinis allegedly threatened in another message.

"And white whores like you well…. get rape (sic) and killed THAN (sic) we cut off body parts and mail them to your family lol," read another alleged message from the accused.

The victims reported the incident to local police, who contacted federal law enforcement.

DeBerardinis was arrested Wednesday and charged with one count each of transmitting in interstate commerce threats to injure a person, tampering with a witness and victim by intimidation, threats and corrupt persuasion and tampering with a witness and victim by harassment.

"We take a hard line on threats and intimidation, and these charges make clear that such conduct will be prosecuted federally," Acting U.S. Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell said in the press release.

"Today's arrest cannot mitigate the fear that Stephen DeBerardinis caused, and the sense of security this couple lost, but it does bring him to justice for allegedly sending a series of rage-filled messages threatening horrific acts of violence," said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Boston division.

DeBerardinis made an initial appearance in federal court in Boston on the day of his arrest.

If convicted of all charges, he ​faces a maximum prison sentence of 28 years, a fine of up to $750,000, restitution and forfeiture.