John Rivello sent a strobe light .gif to Newsweek reporter Kurt Eichenwald which caused the reporter to have a seizure.

Eichenwald suffers from epilepsy and when Twitter user @jew_goldstein tweeted the .gif along with the message “YOU DESERVE A SEIZURE FOR YOUR POSTS” Eichenwald did indeed suffer a seizure.

Eichenwalds wife found the reporter on the floor and called 911. She retweeted to Goldstein: “I have your information and have called the police to report the assault.”

John Rivello, 29, was arrested by the FBI at his home in Maryland.

Investigators claim Rivello sent direct messages to other Twitter folks saying things like “I hope this sends him into a seizure,” “Spammed this at [victim] let’s see if he dies,” and “I know he has epilepsy.”

Rivello was charged with cyberstalking and faces a prison term of 10 years.

Steven Lieberman, Eichenwald’s attorney, said: “This electronic message was no different than a bomb sent in the mail or anthrax sent in an envelope. It triggers a physical effect.”

The news of Rivellos arrest caused a flood of copycat tweeters. “Identifying information about every person who sent me strobes after finding out about the assault is currently in the hands of the FBI.” Eichenwald added, “More than 40 ppl sent strobes once they found out they could trigger seizures. Details of their cases are with the FBI. Stop sending them.”

Source: Network World