Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's New York Field Office, have announced charges against Fred Mastroianni and his sister Doreen Mastroianni. The siblings are accused of cyberstalking, extortion, and conspiracy to commit extortion.
The complaint alleges that since October 2024, Fred and Doreen engaged in a scheme to extort victims by threatening to release sexually explicit materials unless money was contributed to Fred’s prison commissary account or an insurance policy on Doreen's life was purchased for Fred's benefit. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams stated: “As alleged, Fred and Doreen Mastroianni have cyberstalked and conspired to extort victims by threatening to release compromising images of them to the public.”
Fred is currently serving a 35-year sentence for receiving and distributing child pornography as well as sexual exploitation of a minor. Despite being incarcerated, he allegedly used another inmate’s email account to send draft extortion threats which were then forwarded by Doreen.
James E. Dennehy commented: “The Mastroianni siblings allegedly preyed on individuals who were victimized by Fred Mastroianni; stalking and conspiring to extort them for the siblings’ financial benefit."
Both Fred, 54, formerly from White Plains, New York, and Doreen, 69, from Yorktown Heights, New York face charges including cyberstalking which carries up to five years in prison. They are also charged with interstate extortion carrying a maximum two-year sentence and conspiracy which can result in up to five years imprisonment.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan W. Allison, Margaret N. Vasu, and Courtney Heavey are leading the prosecution with support from the FBI’s Westchester Safe Streets Task Force.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the FBI through its Tip Line.