Pennsylvania man convicted of assaulting Ottawa teenager

A man from Pennsylvania has been found guilty of sexual assault and harassment against a teenage girl from Ottawa. David Bukoski was 18 when he met the girl, known as S.M., online through the gaming platform Minecraft. Their relationship began as a romance but quickly turned abusive. Bukoski was convicted of distributing intimate images and running an online campaign of harassment against S.M. This case highlighted the dangers of using the internet for harmful purposes, according to the judge. Bukoski, who appeared virtually at his trial, has a history of criminal activity. He was previously convicted in the U.S. for running an online service that allowed users to attack websites and networks. Now, he faces extradition to Canada for sentencing related to his crimes against S.M. The two met online while playing Minecraft and later had several in-person meetings. During one visit to Ottawa in 2017, Bukoski sexually assaulted S.M., despite her refusals. After she began dating someone else, he launched a vicious harassment campaign against her and her new boyfriend. Bukoski sent unwanted emails, phone calls, and even made threats. He also posted personal information about S.M. online, leading to multiple criminal charges. At one point, he was involved in a conspiracy with a friend to firebomb the home of S.M.'s boyfriend. Although he was implicated, charges against him related to the firebombing were dismissed. Bukoski's online harassment stopped after he was arrested in July 2018. The legal proceedings have taken several years, and hearings for his Canadian sentences are expected soon.