Targeted by cyberbullying and harassment for three years: seeking legal actions in Texas.

Question

I have been targeted for cyberbullying and organized harassment over the past three years. Specific individuals and groups have been identified, and I reported this to the Houston Police Department, IC3, and my previous apartment manager. The police issued a case number but said my case isn't a priority. My apartment manager evicted me despite rental assistance, ignoring my claims of being bullied, harassed, and stalked by neighbors. I've submitted names of the neighbors, suspect some are aliases, and have discontinued SIM cards due to cloning. I've provided IC3 with hacked email addresses, emails set up on my phone by hackers, recordings, and records showing patterns of harassment. Despite this, I've received no response from IC3. What legal actions can I pursue to address this ongoing issue?

John Michael Frick · Answer

You theoretically can sue those responsible if the cyberbullying, harassment, and stalking satisfy the elements of a cognizable legal theory of recovery.   
 
These tend to be very difficult cases to prove.  In addition to proving the bad acts and exactly who committed them, you should anticipate having trouble proving compensable damages proximately caused by those bad acts. 
 
Assuming you overcome those hurdles and prevail at trial, you should thoroughly investigate the assets owned by those responsible to determine if they own sufficient non-exempt assets to satisfy any judgment.  Depending upon the particular facts proven, it seems unlikely that any type of insurance will be available to satisfy a judgment because such acts are likely "intentional acts" which would ordinarily be excluded from coverage even assuming the individuals responsible have insurance. 
 
You should anticipate paying an hourly fee for legal services in this type of case.  It is highly unlikely an attorney would accept this type of case on a contingency fee.  I recommend banking $100K-150K to fund this litigation if you truly want to pursue it.

James L. Arrasmith · Answer

I understand how frustrating and frightening your situation must be. Living with this kind of persistent harassment for three years takes a tremendous toll, and it's disappointing that your reports haven't received adequate attention. Given that you have a police case number already, you might consider escalating your case by contacting the Houston Police Department's cybercrimes unit directly or speaking with a supervisor about the importance of your case. 
 
Texas law offers several potential paths forward. You could pursue a civil lawsuit against identified harassers for intentional infliction of emotional distress, defamation, or invasion of privacy, depending on the nature of the harassment. Additionally, you might qualify for a protective order if you can demonstrate threats or reasonable fear of harm, which would legally prohibit the identified individuals from contacting you. The Texas Attorney General's office has resources that might help, particularly if any of the harassment involves consumer fraud or identity theft. 
 
Since you've already reported to IC3 without response, consider contacting the FBI field office in Houston directly, as interstate cyberstalking falls under federal jurisdiction. Document everything meticulously—screenshots, dates, times, and patterns of harassment—as this evidence strengthens any legal case you pursue. Local legal aid organizations in Houston can provide free or reduced-cost consultations to help determine your best course of action, and many attorneys offer free initial consultations where you can discuss the specifics of your situation and potential remedies.

Q: Targeted by cyberbullying and harassment for three years: seeking legal actions in Texas.