Great Lakes Wire

Glenn Daeward Boyd, a 36-year-old from Kershaw, South Carolina, has been sentenced to over 20 years in prison for crimes including attempted extortion and stalking. Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Alexis Sanford announced that Boyd received a sentence of 272 months following his conviction in February.

Boyd committed these offenses while serving time in a South Carolina prison for previous charges including voluntary manslaughter and assault. During his incarceration, he used a contraband cell phone to impersonate an 18-year-old girl named "Jad" on the dating app "Plenty of Fish." He targeted B.G., a 22-year-old from Grand Rapids, Michigan, threatening him with exposure as a pedophile unless money was sent. Tragically, after Boyd's threats were reported to the police, B.G. died by suicide.

Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan, commented on the sentencing: “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.” The FBI remains committed to collaborating with law enforcement partners to address online exploitation.

The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and local police departments from Wyoming and Newaygo County. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Constance R. Turnbull and Jonathan Roth led the prosecution.

The FBI has provided several tips to help individuals protect themselves from sextortion schemes:

1. Be cautious about what you share online.

2. Be wary of first-time online encounters.

3. Recognize that people can misrepresent themselves online.

4. Be suspicious if someone asks to switch communication platforms.

5. Understand that content shared online can become public.

6. Seek help if faced with suspicious or uncomfortable online interactions.

For those who suspect they are victims of sextortion or have relevant information, contact your local FBI field office or report it through official channels provided by the FBI.