Case of Gay on Gay Bullying? Federal Charges for Serial Harasser of Gay Men

A Durham man is facing new federal charges for cyberstalking and threats against five people, including a Raleigh city councilmember.

According to court documents, David Winters is accused of threatening and targeting gay men in incidents dating back to at least 2016.

Jonathan Lambert-Melton, who was elected to the Raleigh City Council in 2019, told WRAL News he's faced threats from Winters in the five years since he joined the council.

"Obviously, I feel a bit relieved," he said about Winters' arrest and federal charges.

The five people listed in the indictment are only named by initials. Lambert-Melton confirmed he is one of those people.

As the first openly LGBTQIA+ person elected in the city of Raleigh, investigators believe Lambert-Melton and the other people listed in the indictment were targeted "because of their actual and perceived gender, gender identity and sexual orientation.”

"They all do seem to be other gay men, out gay men," Lambert-Melton said. "[It's] a pattern of targeting other gay men, which is deeply unfortunate."

All of the threats came through social media accounts.

"I have probably pages of accounts that I’ve blocked that are him, and he just makes new ones," Lambert-Melton said.

Lambert-Melton said being harassed for his sexuality is nothing new. The councilmember said his posts online have received homophobic comments, which he mostly ignores, but this is different.

Lambert-Melton said he has received death threats from Winters, who knows the councilmember's home address.

"When someone is aware of where you live and threatening to come to your home ... [and] suggesting I should die ... it’s really difficult," Lambert-Melton said. "A very difficult experience I don’t wish upon anybody."

Lambert-Melton said, despite the threats, he still feels empathy for Winters, adding he wants the man to be held accountable but hopes part of that process includes help.

A court appearance is scheduled for Winters on Monday. Lambert-Melton said he plans to be there to deliver a victim impact statement.

wanna-be triangle a-gay.

Perhaps, but the article quotes Lambert-Melton using “other gay men” referring to the victims.

Self loathing, closeted POS who despises that these gay men and others, feel fine about their sexual orientation, and have zero issues with themselves being out.

If not now, eventually, he’ll end up in prison for a long stint, because it’s clear that he cannot stop the behavior.

R3, the first “other gay men” does refer to the other victims, but the quote finishes:

[quote] "[It's] a pattern of targeting other gay men, which is deeply unfortunate."

He also hopes that the guy gets help, which I would not be saying after he’d stalked me for five or six years.