Would-Be Extortionist Nabbed by FBI at St. Croix Park After Threatening Businessman and His Family

ST. CROIX — On August 16, a would-be extortionist showed up to a prearranged rendezvous point at Altoona Lagoon Park and rummaged through a vehicle which he expected to contain a substantial cash payment. Instead of the money, Delani Benjamin found himself in handcuffs, arrested and charged with federal crimes. Last Monday, a St. Croix businessman began getting calls and text messages from a blocked number. The person on the other end was a male with a Crucian accent, the businessman told police. The caller informed the businessman that he needed to pay $5000 to satisfy a drug debt, and said that if he didn’t pay, he would be killed. On Tuesday morning, the unknown man called again. “I’m coming for my $5000 before 8:30 a.m. or I will grab your wife and put her in a fish bag,” he reportedly told the businessman, refusing to heed protestations that the man was not involved in the drug trade and owed no drug debts to anyone.‌ The man called again that morning, around 8:51 a.m. to say th...