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Derek Stoneking

Today, when a judge orders someone not to have contact with another person, it means a lot more than dont knock on their door, call their phone or send them a text message.

Contact, in todays tech-savvy society, also covers the virtual realm, meaning messages, comments and even photos directed at a person on social networking websites like Facebook and Twitter.

Consider this weeks arrest in Iowa City of Derek P. Stoneking, 27, of Iowa City, for a comment that hes accused of posting on one of his own Facebook photos.

A judge on June 28 ordered Stoneking not to contact a woman meaning he cant communicate with her through any means, including third parties, according to a criminal complaint. But Stoneking on Tuesday admitted to commenting on old photos of the two of them on his Facebook profile, explaining that he didnt realize the victim would be notified of his comments because she is no longer tagged in the photos, according to the complaint.

Depending on a persons Facebook settings, the social networking site emails users when theyre mentioned in a comment, tagged in photos and any time someone comments on those pictures. Stoneking told police that he didnt intend to contact the victim and said he was just commenting on the past good times, according to the complaint.

In addition to last weeks no contact order, Stoneking was ordered not to have contact with the victim on June 19 as part of his bond conditions in a felony willful injury causing bodily injury case thats set for trial in October.

Iowa City police didnt disclose details about what Stoneking is accused of writing under the Facebook photo, although Sgt. Denise Brotherton said the comments involved the woman and, she said, it doesnt matter if the comments were threatening or non-confrontational.

When there is a no contact order issued, its absolutely no contact, she said. She got the notification, thats why it wasnt just him doing his own personal posts.

Cases increasing

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I.C. case shows social networking counts as ‘contact’