UNITED STATES ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

DISTRICT OF NEBRASKA

JOE STECHER, UNITED STATES ATTORNEY

1620 DODGE STREET, OMAHA, NE 68102-1506

(402) 661-3700

November 1, 2007

United States Attorney Joe W. Stecher and the Federal Bureau of Investigation announce the following information for the attention of the media:

Event Triggering this Release: Charles Goodwin, age 46 of Omaha, was sentenced to a total of 84 months in prison by the Honorable Joseph F. Bataillon, United States District Judge, following Goodwin’s conviction in connection with an extortion scheme.  Goodwin was sentenced to serve 60 months in prison for conspiracy to commit extortion and an additional 24 months in prison for a substantive count of extortion.  The two sentences were ordered to run consecutively to each other for a total sentence of 84 months.  In addition, Mr. Goodwin was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $14,700.00 and serve a 3 year term of supervised release following the completion of his prison sentence.

Commencing in 2006 Goodwin and codefendant Abby Poitier concocted a scheme to extort money from various men who had met Ms. Poitier while she was working as a dancer at Omaha and Council Bluffs clubs.  Ms. Poitier would, from time to time, accompany the men to other locations where the men and Ms. Poitier would engage in sexual activity.  Unbeknownst to the men, the activities were being recorded through the use of a small camera hidden in a purse carried by Ms. Poitier.  Following the recording of the activities Mr. Goodwin would contact the men and threaten to expose their activities to family and friends unless money was paid to Mr. Goodwin.  On at least two occasions men being extorted by Goodwin left cash at locations designated by Mr. Goodwin in Council Bluffs, Iowa.  The matter was brought to light when one of the men alerted law enforcement resulting in the arrest of Mr. Goodwin.  On the day of his arrest Mr. Goodwin was engaged in trying to orchestrate the drop of an additional sum of money.

Abby Poitier has also been convicted in connection with these offenses.  She is awaiting sentencing.

Name of Defendant: Charles Goodwin

AKA: 

Age: 46                   

City of residence: Omaha, NE

Crime(s) Charged and Potential Penalty (A CHARGE is merely an accusation and every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty): Conspiracy to commit extortion 5 years; Extortion–2 years; 3 year term of supervised release and a $100.00 special assessment.

Specific Location of Alleged Crime: Omaha, Nebraska and Council Bluffs, Iowa

Location of Arrest: Iowa

Alleged Dollar Loss/Type and Quantity of Drug: $14,700.00

Others Charged in Same Scheme: Abby Poitier

Relevant Dates: 

Date of Alleged Crime: between on or about June 1, 2006, through May 9, 2007

Federal Arrest Date: May 9, 2007

Date Complaint Issued: May 10, 2007

Indictment Returned Date: May 23, 2007

Initial Appearance Date: June 7, 2007

Plea or Trial and Date(s): Pled Guilty  - August 14, 2007

Sentencing Date: November 1, 2007

Next Court Hearing Type and Date:   NA

Assigned Magistrate Judge: Thomas D. Thalken

Held without Bond, or Released from Custody: Held without bond

In Continuous Custody Since: May 9, 2007

Assigned District Court Judge: Joseph F. Bataillon

Initials of Assigned AUSA/Preparer of THIS Release: JWS/js