District Attorney Drops Charges Against TikTok Star Accused of Cyberstalking in North Carolina
On May 8th, 2026, The News & Observer reported that a district attorney in North Carolina had dropped cyberstalking charges against a TikTok influencer. The social media star had previously been involved in an alienation of affection lawsuit, but the state ostensibly believes that there is insufficient evidence for a cyberstalking conviction. If you face cyberstalking charges in North Carolina, consider speaking with an experienced criminal defense attorney.
Defendant Argues That the State Is Targeting Her Because of Her Celebrity Status
In May, multiple sources confirmed that the DA of Durham County would not be proceeding with a cyberstalking trial against a well-known TikTok star. The defendant was initially accused of harassing another person online, although the state eventually admitted that there was not enough evidence to convict her.
The alleged victim’s legal counsel claims that the DA only contacted her about the decision a day before the trial was scheduled to begin. This lawyer also argues that the DA did nothing to collect additional evidence, find witnesses, or question the defendant before the trial. The implication is that there was never sufficient evidence to begin with.
Furthermore, the lawyer claims that the state is targeting her because of her celebrity status and her involvement in a previous alienation of affection lawsuit. The lawsuit made headlines around the country and the Tar Heel State. Although the lawsuit resulted in a victory for the alleged cyberstalking decision, the defendant is appealing the decision.
On the other hand, the defendant reiterated her belief that the allegations were completely false, and she thanked everyone who stood by her during the criminal investigation. She had faced allegations of online harassment and visiting physical locations that the alleged victim was known to frequent. Finally, the other woman accused her of “constantly” using her name in online posts and publicly discussing her personal life with other social media users.
What Must Prosecutors Prove in a North Carolina Cyberstalking Case?
In order to secure a cyberstalking conviction in North Carolina, the prosecutors must establish that the defendant intended to abuse, harass, annoy, threaten, terrify, or embarrass the victim. This is often challenging, as no one can see inside a defendant’s head and determine exactly what they were thinking when they made online posts.
Prosecutors must also establish a pattern of repeated harassment. This means that one or two online posts may not cross the threshold into cyberstalking. If the DA lacked sufficient evidence to pursue a conviction in this case, the type of online posts may have been relatively innocent. Simply mentioning someone else’s name online is not enough to trigger a cyberstalking conviction in North Carolina.
Can a Cyberstalking Defense Attorney in North Carolina Help Me?
Although the court often drops charges of cyberstalking due to insufficient evidence, this is still a serious offense in the State of North Carolina. If you face cyberstalking charges, it makes sense to discuss your unique situation with an experienced criminal defense attorney in North Carolina as soon as possible. Contact The Pritchard Firm at 828-518-6007 for further guidance.
Sources:
newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/durham-county/article315642988.html
abc11.com/post/brenay-kennard-durham-county-da-drops-cyberstalking-charge-nc-tiktok-influencer/19060927/