Richard Khamir Hurd Pleads Guilty in Texas in Robert Griffin, III Extortion Attempt

WACO, TX—Richard Khamir Hurd, 25, of Waco, pleaded guilty today to federal charges in connection with an attempt to extort money from Robert Griffin, III, the current quarterback for the NFL’s Washington Redskins, announced U.S. Attorney Robert Pitman and FBI San Antonio Division Special Agent in Charge Armando Fernandez.

Appearing before U.S. District Judge Walter S. Smith, Hurd pleaded guilty to an information charging him with interstate communication of a threat to injure the property or reputation of another person and receiving the proceeds of extortion.

By pleading guilty, Hurd admitted that between June 14, 2012 and June 22, 2012, he contacted one of Griffin’s agents initially demanding $1 million or else he would release information to the media which he claimed would severely damage Griffin’s reputation. According to court documents, during negotiations with Griffin’s agent conducted at the direction of the FBI, Hurd agreed to accept a lesser sum of $120,000 in exchange for the information and signing a “non-disclosure” agreement. On June 22, 2012, Hurd appeared in a Waco law office where he signed the “non-disclosure” agreement and collected a check for $120,000. Afterwards, FBI agents arrested Hurd.

Hurd, who is currently on bond, faces up to two years and three years in federal prison, respectively, for interstate communication of a threat and receipt of extortion proceeds.

Sentencing is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on November 21, 2012, before Judge Smith.

This investigation was conducted by agents with the FBI with assistance from the Waco Police Department and the Woodway, Texas Department of Public Safety. This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Gloff.