Charlotte, North Carolina, October 17, 2025
News Summary
Dylan Lineberger, a former Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer, has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor harassment after stalking incidents involving his ex-girlfriend. Lineberger faced a maximum of three years in prison but received a suspended sentence and time served after admitting to his actions. The victim has filed a civil lawsuit against him, seeking damages for emotional distress and harassment. This case sheds light on the severity of domestic violence and stalking, particularly when involving law enforcement personnel.
Charlotte, North Carolina — Former Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) officer Dylan Lineberger, 33, has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor harassment following a series of stalking incidents involving his ex-girlfriend while armed. Lineberger was sentenced by Visiting Judge Keith Kelly to time served and is now under a permanent restraining order.
Lineberger’s guilty plea was entered in York County criminal court, where he admitted to harassing his ex-girlfriend after the relationship ended in September 2024. The maximum sentence he faced was three years in prison; however, this was suspended as part of the plea agreement. Lineberger received 355 days of credit for the time he spent wearing a GPS monitor after his arrest in late October 2024.
Lineberger, who worked for CMPD for nine years, was placed on administrative leave when he was arrested. He later resigned from the department in April 2025. Following the victim’s request for no further contact, he began a pattern of harassment that included unwanted text messages, phone calls, and physical gifts. He also vandalized the victim’s vehicle and issued threats, including an incident on October 24, 2024, when he allegedly threatened to kill her current boyfriend while being armed with a police-issued firearm and access to over 30 other weapons.
After threatening the victim’s boyfriend, Lineberger was traced to a Food Lion grocery store in Rock Hill, South Carolina, where he was arrested. He was initially taken into custody in Lincoln County, North Carolina, before being extradited to South Carolina. Following his arrest, he was released on a $10,000 bail and fitted with the GPS monitor.
Despite the serious nature of his actions, Lineberger reportedly has no prior criminal record and is currently employed in a maintenance job. Meanwhile, the victim has filed a civil lawsuit against Lineberger, claiming he stalked her, attempted to hack her email, and caused her emotional distress. The lawsuit is still pending, and the victim is seeking both punitive and compensatory damages. She holds a North Carolina restraining order against Lineberger as part of her effort to ensure her safety.
This case highlights the risks of domestic violence and stalking behaviors, even involving law enforcement personnel. The system’s response aims to protect victims by enforcing restraining orders and criminal penalties for offenders.
Key Details of the Case
- Lineberger stalked and harassed his ex-girlfriend while armed.
- He was sentenced to time served with a permanent restraining order.
- The maximum prison sentence of three years was suspended following his plea.
- He received credit for wearing a GPS monitor for almost a year post-arrest.
- Lineberger was employed by CMPD for nine years before his arrest in late October 2024.
- The victim attended court but did not speak.
- The victim has filed a civil lawsuit against Lineberger, which remains pending.
Background Context
Due to the sensitive nature of domestic violence cases, the identity of the victim has been kept confidential for her safety. The issues surrounding stalking and harassment highlight the pressing need for legal and social systems to protect individuals from such behaviors, especially when they involve individuals in positions of authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is Dylan Lineberger? Dylan Lineberger is a former CMPD officer who pleaded guilty to stalking and harassing his ex-girlfriend while armed.
- What was the outcome of Lineberger’s court case? Lineberger was sentenced to time served and a permanent restraining order was issued.
- How long did Lineberger work for CMPD? Lineberger worked for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for nine years before his arrest.
- What were some of the harassment behaviors? The harassment included unwanted text messages, phone calls, physical gifts, vandalism of the victim’s vehicle, and threats to her current boyfriend.
- What is the status of the victim’s civil lawsuit? The victim has filed a civil lawsuit against Lineberger, which is currently pending.
Case Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Dylan Lineberger’s Age | 33 |
| Employment Duration at CMPD | 9 years |
| Charges | Misdemeanor first-degree harassment |
| Pleaded Guilty | Yes |
| Time Served | 355 days |
| Bail Amount | $10,000 |
| Pending Civil Lawsuit | Yes |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Former Police Officer Sentenced for Harassment
Former Police Officer Faces Harassment Allegations
Former Officer Seeks Removal of Ankle Monitor Amid Harassment Allegations
Rock Hill Celebrates National Tennis Month Amid Challenges
Additional Resources
- Herald Online: Charlotte Officer Charged
- Wikipedia: Domestic Violence
- WBTV: CMPD Officer Charged
- Google Search: Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department
- WSOC TV: Former Officer Accused of Harassment
- Google Scholar: Harassment Domestic Violence
- QC News: Former Officer Arrested
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Stalking
- WISTV: CMPD Officer Charged
- Google News: Charlotte Officer Harassment
- WCCB Charlotte: Officer Charged with Harassment
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Restraint Order
- Herald Online: Article on Harassment Case
- Google Search: Domestic Harassment
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