Staged kidnapping plot unravels as three arrested in Southeast extortion case
WASHINGTON, DC – A ransom demand backed by a photo of a bound and gagged woman sparked panic in Southeast before investigators determined the kidnapping had been staged and three suspects were later arrested on extortion charges.
The incident began Thursday, Dec. 4, at approximately 6:22 p.m., when suspects contacted a woman and told her that her friend had been kidnapped. The suspects sent a photo showing the friend restrained and demanded money in exchange for her safe release.
The victim contacted police, who responded to the 1900 block of Massachusetts Avenue, Southeast, and began investigating.
Detectives soon located the alleged kidnapping victim safe and unharmed. Investigators determined that the woman, along with two additional suspects, had attempted to extort money by staging the kidnapping.
On Friday, Dec. 5, 36-year-old Shante Duncan Sanders of Northeast, D.C., and 42-year-old Nordia Coy of Northwest, D.C., were arrested and charged with extortion.
On Thursday, Feb. 19, members of the U.S. Marshals Service arrested 34-year-old Asia Coy of Silver Spring, Maryland, pursuant to a D.C. Superior Court arrest warrant. She was also charged with extortion.
The case remains under investigation.
Key Points
- Three suspects were arrested in connection with a staged kidnapping extortion plot
- The alleged victim was found safe after a ransom demand was made
- Suspects face extortion charges following the investigation