Fire Controlman 2nd Class Petty Officer Russell Tavares, 27, of Virgina, was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading no contest to arson. Tavares drove 1,300 miles from Virginia to Texas to “teach a lesson” to someone who mocked him as a “nerd” over the Internet.

The feud began when John Anderson, 59, joined a picture-sharing Web site and posted his artwork and political views. After blocking people because of insults, they retaliated by making obscene digitally altered pictures of him. “I didn’t think anybody was stupid enough to try to kill anybody over an Internet fight,” said Anderson.

Investigators say Tavares boiled over when Anderson called him a nerd and posted a digitally altered photo making Tavares look like a skinny boy in high-water pants, holding a gun and a laptop under a “Revenge of the Nerds” sign.

Tavares obtained Anderson’s real name and hometown from Anderson’s Web page about his Museum of Horrors Haunted House. Tavares threw a piece of gasoline-soaked plastic foam into the back of Anderson’s mobile home and lit a flare, authorities say.

Anderson suffered smoke inhalation while trying to put out the blaze that caused $50,000 in damage to his trailer and computer equipment. Tavares claimed he didn’t expect Anderson to be inside of the trailer at the time.

Tavares would not let the feud go even at his sentencing. According to police, Tavares took cell-phone photos of Anderson in the courtroom while the judge was hearing another case. Authorities ordered the photos erased.

Anderson, an ex-Marine who served in Vietnam, said he continues to be harassed online, has been startled by people knocking on his window late at night and found bullet holes in a door to his business. He’s convinced the harassment is related to the Internet squabble and plans to spend $30,000 on fencing topped with barbed wire.

How ridiculous is this?! I have a hard time believing this was the result of a fight over the Internet. Then again, it’s not that surprising. Tons of people fight over the Internet. It’s amazing what one will say when hiding behind a monitor. It’s pointless to bring up the special olympics joke at this point. It’s safe to say that everyone who fights over the net is a moron.

Remember, he’s only in prison for seven years. So watch what you say