UT- Trial set for woman accused of blackmailing man over rape charge

6-15-2009 Utah:

FARMINGTON -- A woman accused of blackmailing a man at Hill Air Force Base over a rape allegation will go on trial next month.

The 31-year-old woman appeared in 2nd District Court on Monday where she was expected to tae a plea deal. However, her attorney announced that she would like to take the case to trial.

Judge Michael Allphin scheduled a one-day bench trial beginning July 14.

The case is complicated, with the woman charged with second-degree felony theft by extortion. Her attorney said she is the victim of a rape and filed a police report in Seattle. Davis County prosecutors said any rape investigation has no influence on their case against her.

KSL does not generally name alleged victims of a sexual assault.

Court documents say the woman blackmailed the man out of nearly $50,000 by saying she would not report the alleged sexual assault to military authorities in exchange for the money.

The man initially paid, court documents say, but went to police when she asked for another $5,000.

The woman has insisted she is innocent, telling KSL NewsRadio at her last court appearance the allegations are "a false charge." ..Source.. by Ben Winslow



Woman accused of blackmailing man over rape claim

6-1-2009 Utah:

FARMINGTON -- A woman has been charged with felony extortion, accused of blackmailing a man at Hill Air Force Base over a rape allegation.

The 31-year-old woman appeared in 2nd District Court on Monday where her attorney said she was hoping to discuss a plea deal with prosecutors. She is charged with theft by extortion, a second-degree felony.

"She's charged in this case, but originally I think she was the victim of a rape," her attorney, Rich Gallegos, said outside of court.

According to charging documents, the Air Force's Office of Special Investigations (OSI) received a report in July 2008 of a possible blackmail involving rape allegations. Investigators were handed e-mails from a woman demanding "another" $5,000 from a Hill Air Force Base employee for allegedly sexually assaulting her.

"The victim admitted that he entered into a contract with the defendant where she would agree not to report the alleged assault to law enforcement if he would pay her $45,000," an investigator with OSI wrote in an arrest warrant affidavit filed with the charges. "OSI received a copy of the contract and verified through bank records that the defendant received and cashed personal checks from the victim totaling $46,000."

Outside of court Monday, the woman told KSL NewsRadio the allegations are "a false charge." "I would like to talk about it," she said. "But I have to have my attorney…"

KSL does not generally name victims of an alleged sexual assault. Gallegos said the woman filed a police report in Seattle over the alleged rape, which took place several years ago. He claims the alleged victim waited until the statute of limitations expired on the rape case before making an extortion claim.

Deputy Davis County Attorney Bill McGuire said any rape investigation would need to be conducted by Washington State police.

"If they wanted to pursue it, they could pursue it, but it has nothing to do with our situation," he said.

The woman is due back in court later this month. ..Source.. by Ben Winslow