Hawkeye Reporter

A San Antonio, Texas resident has been sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for transmitting threats across state lines, according to an announcement from United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa.

Court records show that Stephen Brody Crain, 30, sent threatening messages over an eight-month period to two victims in Iowa and their families. One of the victims sent Crain more than $4,000. Crain also filed false abuse reports with the Iowa Department of Human Services and arranged for pizzas to be delivered to the victims’ homes. After his arrest, he continued contacting one victim and their family by mail.

Crain had a previous conviction for stalking in Smith County, Texas District Court. That case involved similar behavior, including sending threatening communications, ordering pizza deliveries to victims, and making false child services reports. He was paroled in November 2023; the threats against the Iowa victims began two months later.

Upon completion of his prison sentence, Crain will serve three years of supervised release. Federal law does not allow parole. The court also ordered him to pay $4,117 in restitution.

The Federal Bureau of Investigations investigated the case.

“United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement.”