R.I. man charged with threatening to eat professor 'piece by piece'

BOSTON — A Rhode Island man has been charged with sending a series of threatening emails to a college professor in Massachusetts apparently because of the professor's pro-abortion rights stance.

The U.S. attorney in Boston says 30-year-old Matthew Haviland, of North Kingstown, was charged Wednesday with cyberstalking and with transmitting a threat in interstate commerce.

Prosecutors say over several hours on March 10, Haviland sent the professor approximately 28 emails containing messages that included threats such as, "I will rip every limb from your body and eat it, piece by piece."

The professor's name was not disclosed. Sources told Boston 25 that the professor works for Harvard University.

Prosecutors say on March 15 and 16 Haviland sent 12 threatening emails to the professor.

Court documents reveal the suspect has his own YouTube channel where he posted about his beliefs on abortion. Most of the emails that Haviland is accused of sending to the professor have to do with abortion-related messages. The professor has published and spoken in favor of abortion rights.

Investigators also say that about 114 voice messages were also left overnight at the Women's Medical Center beginning on April 4.

At Haviland's North Kingson, R.I. home, dozens of investigators were there throughout the day on Thursday gathering evidence.

A message was left with Haviland's public defender.

Associated Press