University disciplinary and criminal misdemeanor charges have been filed against a student accused of cyber stalking at least three people on campus in what University officials say is an on-going investigation that may lead to further charges.

According to University officials, Preston Stock, 18, freshman from Waggaman and staff writer for The Nicholls Worth, posed as a female by the name of “Jamie Jackson” on Facebook to harass and threaten at least one student and two faculty members.

When questioned by University Police, Stock admitted to sending threatening messages to all three, according to police reports.

When The Nicholls Worth contacted Stock regarding the matter, he declined to comment.  

Stock was issued a summons on three misdemeanor counts of cyber stalking on April 4. He has been banned from campus pending the outcome of next Tuesday’s scheduled disciplinary hearing on allegations that he violated the Student Code of Conduct Section 1 Article 5, according to Eugene Dial, vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Services.

The University has filed three criminal charges against Stock. Other charges may be filed as the investigation continues.

Police records indicate there may have been additional targets of cyber stalking. One of the victims said there may have been as many as five more.  

According to police reports, Stock used the falsified Facebook account to contact his first known target, Brian Heck, associate professor of mathematics, in November. At the time, Stock was a student of his and a member of the Math Club, which Heck advised.

Heck accepted a friend request from Stock, posing as Jackson, after Stock said he would be enrolling in one of Heck’s classes.

Heck immediately began receiving sexually harassing messages from the account to which he did not reply. After a number of messages seeking information in exchange for sexual favors, Heck blocked the Facebook account.

According to statements, Stock then created a new account under the same name to continue the Facebook communication.

Under the new Facebook account, Stock began sending Heck both threatening and sexually harassing messages. Stock wrote to Heck, “For every week and a half you do not contact me, one of your Facebook friends will die, starting with your perfect little students. Let the games begin.” Heck reported the matter to University Police on April 4.

When University Police began investigating Heck’s complaint, they found a connection with a similar complaint filed by Julie Jacobs, freshman from Paulina, on March 29.

According to the police reports, Stock followed a similar pattern with Jacobs. He posed as Jackson, sending her harassing messages via Facebook, including a threat to “slice” her. He then created three additional accounts when Jacobs blocked the first one.  

The third victim has been identified as Katherine Conner, assistant professor of English. According to reports, Stock, posing as Jackson, sent her harassing messages, including a threat to have her fired. He also threatened to kill himself if she did not accept his friend request.

In his position as a staff writer for The Nicholls Worth, Stock had interviewed and written articles about both Heck and Conner this semester. He also had proposed writing an article on Jacobs.

Dial said the disciplinary hearing on the allegations will be held before a committee consisting of one faculty member from each academic college, two representatives from Student Affairs and the members of the Student Government Association Supreme Court.

Stock is allowed to have one supporter, either an advisor, attorney or friend, but they will not be allowed to participate in the hearing.

Tommy Ponson, the Student Judicial Officer, will present evidence regarding the complaints, and Stock will be allowed to present a defense. The proceeding is closed to the public unless both sides agree to open it.

Dial said possible punishments could range from a written admonition to temporary suspension to permanent expulsion.

An arraignment date on the criminal charges has been set in Thibodaux City Court for May 9 at 9 a.m.