Federal agents arrested a man on Thursday who allegedly tried to extort three former co-workers at a Fresno business.
A six-count indictment accuses William Lee Robinson, 40, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, of sending threatening messages to his former supervisor and others in an extortion plot.
Stalking is among the counts.
According to charging documents, Williams threatened to harm the supervisor’s daughter unless he received $10,000 to $20,000.
Related Story: FBI, Fresno PD Nabbed Drug Dealer Who’s Going to Prison for 10 Years
Fired in 2017, Threats Followed
Robinson made the threats and demands after the health management company O.A.I. fired him in November 2017. He worked for the company for six months as a systems engineer before his termination.
“Robinson referenced the locations of the employees’ personal residences, made repeated references to visiting the employees at their residences, and threatened to kill and physically harm the employees and their families,” charging documents state.
“He wanted O.A.I to pay him between $10,000 and $20,000, which included the costs Robinson incurred when he moved to New York” after getting fired.
Related Story: FBI Probe of Possible Fresno City Hall Corruption Underway
Threats Made Via Email, Text Messages
Robinson allegedly transmitted the threats via email and text messages while residing in New York.
If convicted, he faces as many as 20 years in prison.
The FBI investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Vincente A. Tennerelli is the prosecutor.
