United States Attorney’s Office
Northern District of Iowa

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: Abby Poitier, age 21 of Omaha, was sentenced to 3 months of house arrest with electronic monitoring and 4 years probation by the Honorable Joseph F. Bataillon, United States District Judge, following Poitier's conviction in connection with an extortion scheme. She was also ordered to perform 120 hours of community service work and pay restitution in the amount of $14,700.00.

Commencing in 2006 Poitier and codefendant Charles Goodwin 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.

Charles Goodwin was previously sentenced to 84 months in prison as a result of his convictions in connection with this scheme. Ms. Poitier's sentence was reduced, relative to Mr. Goodwin's, as a result of her lack of a criminal record and cooperation with authorities following her arrest.

Name of Defendant: Abby Poitier
AKA:
Age: 21
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): 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: Alabama
Alleged Dollar Loss/Type and Quantity of Drug: $14,700.00
Others Charged in Same Scheme: Charles Goodwin
Relevant Dates:
Date of Alleged Crime: between on or about June 1, 2006, through May 9, 2007
Federal Arrest Date: May 11, 2007
Date Complaint Issued: May 10, 2007
Indictment Returned Date: May 23, 2007
Initial Appearance Date: June 8, 2007
Plea or Trial and Date(s): Pled Guilty - September 14, 2007
Sentencing Date: December 14, 2007
Next Court Hearing Type and Date: NA
Assigned Magistrate Judge: Thomas D. Thalken
Held without Bond, or Released from Custody: Released from custody
In Continuous Custody Since: NA
Assigned District Court Judge: Joseph F. Bataillon
Initials of Assigned AUSA/Preparer of THIS Release: JWS/js
Carrie Sawicki