Police find pentagram when arresting twin sisters for cyberstalking

Twin sisters were arrested earlier this month and charged with a combined 18 counts of cyberstalking. A search of the sisters’ home also discovered unsafe living conditions for a 3-year-old child.

On June 18, a woman called Crime Check to report she was being sent threats and inappropriate images on Facebook, according to a statement by the Spokane Police Department. The woman emailed detectives more than 100 screenshots that showed written threats, pictures of children, pictures of dead people with “you’re next” written on them and pictures of mutilated and dead animals, among other things.

The threats and images came from 25-year-old sisters, Martia and Makayla Alderman of Spokane, according to the SPD.

Police determined there was probable cause from the content of the messages to charge Martia Alderman with 10 counts of felony cyberstalking and Makayla Alderman with eight counts of felony cyberstalking.

On Aug. 6, officers went to a home on the 600 block of South Helena Street at about noon to take the Aldermans into custody.

They discovered a pentagram made from melted wax in the middle of the living room, according to police. There were candles burnt to the base and “trinkets” in the pentagram, including razor blades, according to police.

Martia Alderman’s 3-year-old child was living in the home, and officers said potentially dangerous items like hunting knives and hatchets were within reach, posing significant safety concerns.

The Child Protective Services agency was contacted, and the sisters were arrested. Both sisters have been released on bail.