Delco Man Pleads Guilty to Stalking by Mail, Witness Tampering

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Stephen M. Cilurso, 73, of Aldan, Pennsylvania, entered a plea of guilty today before United States District Judge Gail A. Weilheimer to one count of stalking by use of the mail and one count of witness tampering. The defendant was charged by information last month, following his arrest on a criminal complaint and warrant in March. With today’s plea, he has waived prosecution by indictment. As detailed in court filings and admitted to by the defendant, between about May 31, 2019, and March 21, 2026, in Delaware County and Philadelphia County, Cilurso mailed a number of letters containing threats and homophobic slurs to Victim 1. Upon being confronted by law enforcement on March 3, 2026, the defendant admitted that he sent such letters to Victim 1. Following that encounter with agents, the defendant sent Victim 1 four additional letters, in which he provided his true name and repeatedly stated that Victim 1 should discontinue any involvement in the criminal investigation and that the defendant’s life was in Victim 1’s hands. On March 17, 2026, the defendant was told by law enforcement agents not to contact Victim 1 again. Despite being expressly told to discontinue contacting Victim 1, the defendant then sent Victim 1 two more letters. In one, the defendant wrote, “I will not go back to jail.” He further threatened to kill himself, adding “drop the charges against me” and “let me live.” In the second letter, the defendant stated, “I do not ever want to go back to prison ... don’t let the FBI put me back there.” The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on November 17 and faces a maximum possible term of eight years in prison. This case was investigated by the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Philadelphia Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Morgan.