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Pittsburgh man, fitness enthusiast arrested by FBI, accused of cyber stalking women

PITTSBURGH — A man is in federal custody on Cyber Stalking charges, after investigators say he harassed and threatened women he met at fitness studios in the Pittsburgh area and in at least two other states.

Brett Dadig is accused of repeatedly intimidating women both in person and online, according to a federal affidavit. Investigators say much of the alleged harassment occurred publicly on social media and on a podcast he hosted.

11 Investigates learned Dadig is banned from several local fitness studios, including F45 in the South Hills, Flo Yoga and Orangetheory Fitness, as well as South Hills Village mall. Gyms in Iowa and Florida have issued similar bans, authorities said.

Investigators say Dadig repeatedly posted about women and violence. They say he referenced strangling with his bare hands and called himself “God’s assassin.”

According to the complaint, he said he is “nice until women (expletive) with him” and that he would “stop at absolutely nothing to bury you into the (expletive) ground.”

The affidavit also cites statements Dadig made on his podcast. In an episode titled “Emergency PFA,” investigators say he warned, “I promise you, you will regret it ... see what (expletive) happens to you.” He also discussed going to jail for PFA violations and said he was willing to return.

People who work out at studios across the South Hills told Channel 11 they were familiar with the case and relieved to hear of the arrest. Several said they did not want to speak publicly, citing fears that women who have spoken out have become targets.

In a post on Instagram days before his arrest, Dadig apologized, saying, “I’m a positive, happy-go-lucky guy. This chaos continues to find me, and I kinda deal with it and roll with the punches. People say, ‘You need mental help, you need this, you need that.’ I just trust in the Lord, and He’s guiding me through this.”

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