Federal Court Sentences Cyberstalker to 46 Months
The ruling concludes an 11-count case involving cross-state online harassment and the intimidation of victims.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Cybersecurity
A federal judge sentenced Brett Dadig to 46 months in prison for cyberstalking and harassment. The sentencing follows Dadig's guilty plea to 11 counts involving targeted intimidation and the unauthorized sharing of private content.
Why it matters
The case highlights the legal consequences for digital harassment campaigns that cross state lines, as authorities increasingly treat online stalking with the same severity as physical threats. Courts are balancing statutory sentencing guidelines with the mental health history of defendants in cases involving persistent cyber-harassment.
The 46-month prison term aligns with federal sentencing guidelines of 41 to 51 months. Following the prison term, the court has mandated three years of supervised release for the 31-year-old defendant.
The players
Brett Dadig
The 31-year-old defendant who utilized social media and podcast platforms to conduct cross-state cyberstalking and harassment.
The details
Dadig used social media platforms and a podcast to disseminate explicit content and personal information about victims, a form of digital doxxing. He also engaged in physical confrontation at the victims' workplaces to escalate intimidation. The court considered these persistent digital behaviors, alongside multiple violations of Protection From Abuse orders, when reaching its final sentencing decision.
Timeline
2024: Dadig began experiencing symptoms of mental illness.
November 8, 2025: Dadig was formally charged in federal court.
March 2026: Dadig pleaded guilty to 11 counts.
October 20, 2026: The judge sentenced Dadig to 46 months in prison.
The Tech Race
This case follows a pattern of federal courts applying established sentencing guidelines to cross-state digital harassment crimes. It marks an effort by the judiciary to standardize penalties for severe cyberstalking that utilizes digital media as a weapon.
This ruling establishes a precedent for how Pittsburgh-based authorities respond to instances of online harassment that transcend state borders. Victims of similar behavior can use these legal outcomes as a reference for the potential prosecution paths of persistent cyberstalkers.
The takeaway
The court's decision confirms that digital stalking through podcasts and social media is subject to federal prison time. Observers should track whether similar sentencing patterns emerge in cases involving defendants with diagnosed bipolar disorder.
Further reading
For more on legal responses to digital threats in the region, read our Cybersecurity section.
