Beaver Island Michigan

To: Deputy Travis Williams, Charlevoix County Sheriffâ??s Department
CC: Sheriff Don Schneider, Charlevoix County Sheriffâ??s Department
From: Stephen C. West 3-23-2010

Subj: POLICE REPORT â?? Redacted to protect innocent individuals

1. On the 22nd of March, 2010 I became aware of two email accounts that had been established in my name. These accounts were, at no time and in no way, authorized by myself. Furthermore, these accounts have been used to establish no less than 7 aliases on the Beaver Beacon Forum which may have been used to cast aspersions on myself and the Chamber of Commerce.

2. The email accounts in question are: stevewestccc@gmail.com and stevewestcc@gmail.com

3. These events were brought to light via â?¦â?¦â?¦â?¦â?¦ who responded to inquires by my wife, Elaine West, based on â??rumorsâ?￾ of multiple accounts being attributed to myself on the Beaver Beacon Forum. Attached is a copy of the email from â?¦â?¦â?¦â?¦â?¦â?¦â?¦. He derived this information from â?¦â?¦â?¦â?¦â?¦â?¦â?¦â?¦â?¦â?¦â?¦â?¦â?¦â?¦â?¦â?¦â?¦â?¦., specifically â?¦â?¦â?¦â?¦â?¦â?¦â?¦â?¦..

4. The false identities have posted inflammatory comments under a variety of user names that are linked to email addresses intentionally designed to be attributed to myself. Whatever individual or group who has created these identities has used them to adversely affect the standing of the Chamber of Commerce and myself. Moreover, these aliases could have been used to send private emails exacerbating the situation and providing even greater damage to my and the Chamberâ??s reputation. Both are attempts to deprive me of my livelihood and meet the legal standard for liable (written slander). It is a crime. Furthermore, these posts have sown the seeds of discontent on the island and pitted neighbor against neighbor over the past few months. Though that does not rise to the level of a crime, it is certainly contrary to the welfare of the island.

5. We have already filled a complaint with Google inc., and requested that these accounts be flagged for further activity. We request the Sheriffâ??s department immediately open an investigation into this case for identity theft and liable. Please immediately work with Charlevoix County prosecutors, FBI, Federal Trade Commission and all other applicable state and local agencies to subpoena the contents of the Google accounts. With that information, you should be able to identify the internet provider from which it originated, and then identify the individual IP address where from where it was submitted. I intend to bring civil charges against any individual who is found to have intentionally maligned myself and jeopardized my job and good standing in the community. Furthermore, find this letter as notice that we have filled a complaint with the FBI and FTC. We will provide points of contact to the Sherriffâ??s department upon receipt of them from said agencies.