Naperville Man Charged With Making Threats Via Facebook

In yet another case illustrating the increasingly blurred lines between the real world and online social networks, the Naperville Sun reported on a 19-year-old Naperville-area man who was arrested on suspicion of threatening his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend, a felony.

The accused, Christopher J. Bensfield, allegedly posted messages threatening the lives of the identified 19-year-old woman and her current love interest through the popular social network Facebook. Police Sgt. Gregg Bell told reporters that Bensfield has been charged in DuPage County Circuit Court with felony harassment via electronic communication.

Bensfield remained in custody in the Wheaton jail on a $12,500 bond as of Feb. 5, according to the article.

Bell said the woman "put up with the messages for a little while" and repeatedly asked Bensfield to stop threatening her, but eventually brought printed copies of the threats to police. He was arrested at his home on the morning of Jan. 28, police told reporters.

But this isn't Bensfield's first brush with the law.

He is on probation in connection with a felony drug crime that took place in August 2008, according to court records cited by the Naperville Sun. His probationary period for that incident ends in September 2011. A judge ordered him to participate in a Work Alternative Program and fined him, according to reporters.

Also, the article states that Bensfield was arrested on Dec. 29 on a misdemeanor vandalism charge and in July 2008 on a marijuana-related charge. The former charge is still pending, while the latter drug charge resulted in court supervision and a fine.

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