LA ‘gay-baiter’ who extorted at least $150,000 from online victims sentenced to five years
The man posted 1,300+ 'bait ads' and demanded victim payments ranging from $100 to $4,000
Words: Jamie Tabberer; picture: Pexels
A 29-year-old man has been handed a five-year prison sentence after extorting over $150,000 [£108,446] from gay men who responded to ‘bait’ ads offering sex services.
Tyler Buchanan operated in the Santa Monica, LA and elsewhere over a period of six years, according to NBC. He purchased ads on Craigslist, Backpage and other websites.
Buchanan, who posted more 1,300 bait ads and demanded victim payments ranging from $100 to $4,000 [£72.28 to £2,891], received the sentence on Monday.
“He tormented numerous victims over many years”
Once engaged, the Nevada-based defendant would search online for personal information about the victim, according to his plea agreement filed in an LA federal court.
He would then elicit sexual conversation and/or an agreement to engage in a sex act for money, before threatening to disclose the texts – and in some cases the victim’s sexual interests – as well as threaten to report the victim for solicitation of prostitution unless money was paid.
According to the publication, US District Judge Otis D. Wright II ordered the man to pay restitution of $67,567 [£48,839.79] to men who were extorted, adding: “He tormented numerous victims over many years.”
In a letter Buchanan told the court: “I was a damaged and angry person and desperate for money… I broke the law and acted like a person I’m not proud of. I took money from other people and I scared them.”
Buchanan reportedly told one of his victims – who he extorted $22,225 from – “you’ll pay for it one way or another. You choose.”
Last year, Buchanan pleaded guilty to federal felony charges of using the internet to facilitate unlawful activity, transmitting threatening communications with intent to extort and receiving and disposing of extortion proceeds.
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