From Behind Bars to Decades More: SC Inmate’s Twisted Extortion Plot Ends in 20-Year Sentence After Victim’s Tragic Suicide
A South Carolina man already serving time for violent crimes has been handed a staggering 272-month (over 22 years) federal prison sentence for a depraved online extortion scheme that tragically led to the suicide of a young Michigan man.
Glenn Daeward Boyd, 36, of Kershaw, South Carolina, was convicted in February of attempted extortion, stalking, and five counts of wire fraud, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan announced today.
Boyd, who was incarcerated in a South Carolina prison for offenses including voluntary manslaughter and assault with intent to kill, utilized a contraband cell phone to orchestrate his elaborate deception. Posing as “Jad,” an 18-year-old girl, on the dating application “Plenty of Fish,” Boyd initiated contact with the 22-year-old victim, identified as B.G., in August 2023.
READ: Meth Menace Muzzled: Florida Man Busted After Year-Long Sting, 300 Grams Seized
Just two days after their initial communication, Boyd, still masquerading as “Jad,” deceitfully claimed to be a 15-year-old girl. The chilling plot then escalated as Boyd assumed the identity of “Jad’s grandparents,” issuing dire threats to B.G. “They” would contact police and B.G.’s family, accusing him of being a pedophile, unless money was sent. Adding to the torment, Boyd used a Facebook profile to publicly brand B.G. as a “pedophile” and claimed to possess “all the evidence.”
In a devastating turn of events on the same day the threats were made, B.G. reported Boyd’s heinous scheme to the police before dying by suicide.
“Yesterday’s sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the grave nature of Mr. Boyd’s predatory actions specifically, his heinous crimes of sexual exploitation and extortion that have tragically resulted in a profound loss of life,” stated Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan.
Gibson reiterated the FBI’s unwavering commitment to delivering justice and collaborating with law enforcement partners to hold online exploiters accountable.
READ: Guadalupe River Overwhelms Camp Mystic As Devastating Floods Claim 67 Lives
The investigation that brought Boyd to justice was a collaborative effort involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wyoming Police Department, South Carolina Department of Corrections, South Carolina Department of Corrections – Office of Inspector General, Newaygo County Sheriff’s Department, and Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Constance R. Turnbull and Jonathan Roth prosecuted the case.
In the wake of this tragic case, the FBI has re-emphasized crucial tips for protecting oneself from sextortion schemes:
- Be selective about what you share online. Open social media accounts can reveal a wealth of personal information to predators.
- Be wary of anyone you encounter for the first time online. Block or ignore messages from strangers.
- Be aware that people can pretend to be anything or anyone online. Videos and photos are not definitive proof of identity, as they can be altered or stolen.
- Be suspicious if someone asks you to switch platforms after meeting on one game or app.
- Be in the know. Any content shared online, whether text, photo, or video, can become public, and nothing truly “disappears” once sent.
- Be willing to ask for help. If online messages or requests seem wrong, block the sender, report the behavior, or confide in an adult. If victimized, tell someone immediately.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
