Man Accused of $10,000 Extortion Attempt

A 65-year-old Cleveland County man was jailed and charged this week with attempting to extort $10,000 through threats.

Thursday, May 7th 2009, 5:28 pm

By: News 9


By Gan Matthews, NEWS 9

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- A 65-year-old Cleveland County man was jailed and charged this week with attempting to extort $10,000 through threats.

Jerry Gage, who is illiterate, admitted to investigators he had his son write a letter on his behalf and deliver it to a man's door last month. Authorities said Gage met the man, who offered the 65-year-old help, at church.

"Mr. Gage came to the church once or twice," said Assistant District Attorney David Brockman. "He was not an actual member of the church, but he did come there once or twice. They developed sort of a friendship."

The letter allegedly threatened the unidentified man if he didn't pay Gage $10,000, he would sue him for $30,000.

The note also warned that "people like you sometimes end up getting their asses kicked by strangers on the street, so you would be better off paying me the $10,000 than for all of this to take place."

The man did not pay Gage the money and a few days following the delivery of the letter, a person knocked on the man's front door looking for yard work. The man then punched the victim twice, saying that he owed Gage money.

When investigators questioned Gage about the incident, he denied having anything to do with the assault, but according to the affidavit, he did confess to the extortion attempt.

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