Dig Deeper Texas

A career ruined: Online feud ends in arson, prison

WACO — Two years ago, Russell Tavares was a clean-cut 25-year-old entrusted with “very high clearance” in missile and fire control in the U.S. Navy, officials say.

Now he’s the subject of a bizarre story: one that investigators say includes short tempers, long-distance vendettas and the Internet’s ability to bring far-flung personalities into conflict.

Tavares was involved in an Internet chat room squabble with John Anderson, a 59-year-old Elm Mott resident who said he called Tavares “a nerd.”

Tavares’ response: He took a leave of absence from the Navy. Drove from Virginia to Waco. Set fire to Anderson’s mobile home.

This week, he pleaded guilty to a felony arson charge and was sentenced to seven years in a Texas prison. He was discharged from his post in the military.

Wow, I have been called much worse on this very blog and I have never once thought of finding the people and burning their houses. That is just too funny. I am so sorry but the internet is full of all kinds of people and if you are putting something out there for people to see or read you have to expect that someone is going to pop up and be negative.

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