[PHOTO CREDIT: Lake County Sheriff’s Office]
[Original Publish Date: 04/30/20]
CLERMONT, Florida — A man accused of sending harassing emails, making derogatory Facebook posts and attempting to extort a family member was picked up on a warrant Tuesday.
Beginning on April 4, Leonard Cathcart, 58, is alleged to have sent several emails to family members accusing another family member of child abuse, according to a probable cause affidavit.
“When I was 10 years old him and his stepbrother held me over a pen of rattlesnakes. I want whats (sic) due to me for years of therapy. I’m not going away. In need a car then i’ll (sic) go away. be (sic) careful if you have kids. Hes (sic) a whimp!!!” one of the emails reads in part.
From April 5 through April 13, Cathcart made approximately 40 Facebook posts with similar accusations, according to the affidavit. A warrant was issued for Cathcart’s arrest April 23 and he was picked up at his home in Clermont Tuesday morning. He is charged with extortion and cyberstalking and was released from the Lake County Jail on $10,000 bond.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. Born and raised in Lake County, she is a graduate of Umatilla High School and Lake-Sumter State College. She started her journalism career at LSSC, where she was editor of both student publications, The Angler and The Odyssey. Her professional career began at the Daily Commercial in 2004 where she covered cops and courts the majority of her time there until she left in 2009. Currently, along with being Editor-in-Chief of Lake Legal News, she is the Florida bureau chief for an international media organization. She has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
