LANSING – Yesterday, Rita Williams, 37, of Richland, was sentenced to 24 months of probation and ordered not to have any contact or attempt to contact prosecutors at the Barry County Prosecutor’s Office by the Honorable William M. Doherty in the 56B District Court in Hastings for sending hundreds of emails and voicemail messages to them, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Williams pled no contest earlier this year to one count of Stalking and one count of Using a Computer to Commit a Crime. Judge Doherty warned Williams any violation of the no contact conditions would result in incarceration. 

“County prosecutors deserve to perform their job free of harassment and stalking,” Nessel said. “Such behavior not only disrupts the essential work they do upholding justice but also puts undue strain on those dedicated to serving the public. My department remains committed to prosecuting these illegal actions to ensure public servants can do their jobs without fear of intimidation.”  

Williams sent hundreds of emails and voicemail messages using a robocall device to prosecutors in the Barry County Prosecutor’s Office, including the elected County Prosecutor, in response to the prosecution, subsequent conviction by guilty plea, and present incarceration of her husband.  When instructed to cease contact by the prosecutors, Williams persisted gratuitously, sending harassing messages to the attorneys on both their work and personal devices. The Department of the Attorney General initially charged Williams in October 2023. 

###