Extortion

Brother-sister duo charged with blackmailing gay people in Alabama

Jvell and Whitney Hurt
Jvell and Whitney Hurt (Photo: Tuscaloosa Police)

A brother and sister in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, have been charged with extortion and making terrorist threats.

Police believe Jvell Hurt, 25, and his sister, Whitney Hurt, 23, may have been involved in extorting money from up to a dozen gay/bi people who they threatened to out to family and co-workers.

Authorities believe there could be victims they are unaware of and urge anyone who may have information to come forward.

The Tuscaloosa News reports the pair shared a home on Dragons Lane, Tuscaloosa. One alleged victim told police that Jvell told him to bring $2,100 to the house or he would “end him.” He also threatened to distribute private photos of the man, and called friends and family of the man, telling them to persuade the man to pay up.

Related: Drag queen busted for blackmailing man on Grindr, threatening to out him to his girlfriend

“During this investigation, we were able to identify the defendant as a suspect by digital evidence,” said police in court records. “The defendant has continued to contact the victim and multiple associates of the victim in an attempt to obtain more cash.”

However, the alleged intimidation did not end there. Police also believe Jvell was behind a bomb call to the First United Methodist Church during a service on September, 29. The church was the regular place of worship of one of the victims.

They believe Whitney Hurt was behind a similar threatening call to the University of Alabama School of Nursing on October, 9. Again, one of the victims was associated with the institute.

Jvell Hurt faces two counts of extortion against two victims and two counts of making terrorist threats. His sister, Whitney, is accused of making a terrorist threat against the nursing school and of extorting one of the two victims. Police are continuing to investigate reports concerning ten other possible victims.

Anyone with relevant information can contact Tuscaloosa Police on (001) 205-248-4750.

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