Man Indicted for Extortion Using Interstate Communications
| U.S. Attorney’s Office March 01, 2012 |
Rocco Martinez, 30, of Philadelphia, was charged by indictment, unsealed today, with one count of extortion using interstate communications, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. According to the indictment, Martinez knowingly and with the intent to extort money from an employee of the Philadelphia Parking Authority, transmitted in interstate commerce communications containing a threat to injure the reputation of the Philadelphia Parking Authority and one of its employees.
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of two years’ imprisonment, one year of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Philadelphia Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony J. Wzorek.