U.S. District Judge Robert Kugler called a five-minute recess to allow Raisley, a former computer programmer, to compose himself. Earlier, the judge's strong remarks had indicated that Raisley would leave the building with an imminent prison sentence.
Raisley's actions were not just vengeful, but an attack on the First Amendment rights of online publishers, Kugler said. The prison sentence is to be followed by three years of supervision. Kugler also ordered $90,386 in restitution to those who filed claims.
"A message does need to be sent that we cannot tolerate this type of activity," Kugler said, calling Raisley's life a "sad existence."
The story began years ago, when Raisley associated with a vigilante group organized by Xavier Von Erck of Portland, Ore.
Von Erck was founder of Perverted Justice, an organization that once collaborated with Dateline NBC on the television newsmagazine's controversial "To Catch a Predator."
When Von Erck launched Perverted Justice, he and others posed as minors online to attract pedophiles whom they identified on a website. Raisley reportedly participated in Internet chat rooms. The group boasts that hundreds have been arrested as a result of its work.
Initially, Raisley and Von Erck respected each other. Then Raisley questioned Von Erck's techniques. He also accused Perverted Justice of using a picture of his young son to lure predators. Allegations were investigated but never substantiated by the FBI in 2005. Von Erck has said he never used Raisley's son as bait.
Raisley began identifying the group's anonymous volunteers, and made violent and disturbing threats against them, authorities said.
In 2005, Von Erck posed online as a woman named Holly and began an Internet relationship with Raisley, then living in Arkansas with his wife and son.
Raisley and "Holly" exchanged e-mails, which included the compromising photos Raisley agreed to send at Holly's request.
Raisley fell in love.
