By Patti Weaver
(Stillwater, Okla.) — A 41-year-old Cushing woman, who remains free on $1,000 bail, has been accused of threatening a man and his family with harm unless he delivered $1,500 to her, according to an attempted extortion charge filed in Payne County District Court last week.
Sarah Kennedy — who is not related to a Perry attorney by the same name — could be given a two-year prison term and a $5,000 fine if convicted of the felony charge.
Kennedy was arrested at 1:53 pm on March 7 following a traffic stop in the 600 block of E. Main in Cushing by Sgt. Greg Savory of the Stillwater Police Department, which is cross commissioned through the Payne County Sheriff’s Department to be authorized to conduct investigations outside of Stillwater, according to an affidavit.
Earlier that day, at noon a man went to the Stillwater Police Department to report “he was in fear for his and his family’s safety,” Stillwater Police Officer Adam Elliott wrote in an affidavit.
He said “he met a female named Sarah Kennedy at the Perkins Casino last year. She claimed to be in need of financial help, so (he) gave her approximately $200 cash. They stayed in contact via cell phone and meeting at the casino.
“(He) stated that Kennedy frequently needed money, so he started having her do jobs for him. (He) claimed he financed the jobs (buying materials) with the agreement that Kennedy would pay him back once the job was completed.
“(He) then described one of the jobs Kennedy was involved in working for a farmer in the Cushing area, where he is still owed approximately $60,000.
“He stated that Kennedy is involved in drug trafficking for the cartel, and that her pickup is used for hauling loads of illegal drugs. On this date, Kennedy told (him) that she needed money for a truck payment and insurance payment, or the truck was going to be repossessed.
“If the truck was repossessed, the drugs would be found, and they would all go down for it. Kennedy was allegedly working with an individual, who was a business partner and enforcer for the cartel. (He) stated he has never personally met him but has had contact with him via text message.
“(The alleged cartel man) has made threats to do harm to (his) family members if money is not paid to Kennedy. They have told (him) his wife and kids’ names and where they live and work. (He) was scared for his family’s safety if he did not continue giving money to Kennedy.
“While speaking with (the victim), Kennedy called him. I could hear the conversation in which she was demanding money for her truck payment and insurance payment,” the Stillwater officer alleged in his affidavit.
“Kennedy stated she needed $1,478 today and $700 by tomorrow. (The victim) told her he didn’t have the money, which made Kennedy angry and hang up on him. A short time later, (the victim) received a text message from Kennedy’s phone with a forwarded message from (the alleged cartel man). The message stated that if the money didn’t come through that Kennedy would be in prison and her life would be over.
“(The victim) responded back to the text message claiming the check he has been waiting for has not arrived yet, leaving him without the money. Kennedy then called him back, acting like she was in fear for her safety if (the victim) did not get the money to her today. She went on to threaten him with his involvement in the drugs allegedly in her truck — saying they would all go down if she got caught.
“(The victim) told her he was trying to come up with the money but wasn’t able to yet. Shortly after this conversation, (the victim) received another forwarded text from (the alleged cartel man) from Kennedy’s phone. Again, (the alleged cartel man) talked about the risk that Kennedy was taking and that it was his responsibility to have the truck payments made. They went back and forth several more times while we were with (the victim),” the Stillwater officer alleged in his affidavit.
“Sgt. Savory and Detective Moore went to Kennedy’s address in Cushing and located her truck. They maintained surveillance of the truck and residence while I continued talking to (the victim). He stated he was in fear for his safety if he did not give Kennedy the money that she and (the alleged cartel man) were demanding. He stated he wanted this to come to an end and was willing to testify in court as a victim in this case. (The victim) then showed me his Cash App, where he has sent Kennedy thousands of dollars just in the past month. He said he has also met with her in person and given her cash.
“Due to the continued pressure by Kennedy for the money on this date, we had (the victim) tell her that he came up with $1,500 and arrange to meet with her. Kennedy complained that it wasn’t the full amount but agreed to meet him at (a gas station) in Perkins to get the money. Sgt. Savory and Detective Moore advised that Kennedy left her residence in the truck shortly after call from (the victim),” the Stillwater officer alleged in his affidavit.
When the officers arrived to talk to Kennedy, she said that (the victim) owed her money, so she was making threats to entice him to pay her. Kennedy stated that she has been selling nude videos and pictures to (the victim), working for him and gambling for him, and that he owes her a large sum of money. She allowed officers on scene to search her cell phone. We were able to see the text messages back and forth between her and (the victim). When asked about (the alleged cartel man), she claimed he was not a real person and that she used that as a way to get (the victim) to pay her,” the Stillwater officer alleged in his affidavit.
“Due to Kennedy admitting on scene that she was attempting to obtain money from (the victim) by using threats and fear, she was placed under arrest for extortion. We then conducted a more thorough interview with her in the jail interview room. Kennedy confirmed that (the alleged cartel man) was a made-up person that she used to scare (the victim) into paying her. She stated that (the victim) has given her money, but she has also given large sums of money to (the victim) when he needed it.
“Kennedy stated she probably still owes (the victim) approximately $7,000, and she is willing to pay him back. Kennedy then stated that threatening (the victim) is the only way to get her money from him due to his gambling addiction,” the Stillwater officer alleged in his affidavit.
