Md. Man Sentenced for Extorting Former Boss

Threatened to destroy former employer's business

A Frederick, Md., man was sentenced to 7 years in prison for threatening to destroy a well-known restaurant-and-hotel complex in Thurmont as part of an extortion scheme, The Frederick News-Post reported.

Patrick Plunkard, 55, pleaded guilty in October to extorting money from his former boss at the Cozy Inn, where Plunkard once worked at the reception desk there.

The judge suspended another 16 years of prison time.

Police said he demanded $5,000 from owner Gerald Freeze and threatened to destroy the place unless Freeze paid.

Police arrested Plunkard in January when he tried to retrieve the money at a drop location in Frederick's Baker Park.

Plunkard allegedly burglarized the inn twice last November and took $2,200 from a safe.
 
Plunkard faced a maximum sentence of 35 years in prison.
 

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