Kershaw Man Sentenced in Sextortion Case Linked to Suicide

News Summary

Glenn Daeward Boyd received a lengthy prison sentence for his involvement in a sextortion scheme that led to the tragic suicide of a victim. While incarcerated, Boyd utilized a contraband phone to manipulate a young man online, threatening him for money against false accusations. The case highlights the alarming rise of sextortion and its severe implications on mental health, especially among youth. Boyd faced substantial penalties for his crimes, emphasizing the dire need for awareness and preventive measures in online safety.

Kershaw, South Carolina – A 36-year-old man from Kershaw has been sentenced for his involvement in a sextortion scheme that tragically resulted in the suicide of a victim. Glenn Daeward Boyd was found guilty of extortion, stalking, and five counts of wire fraud, all of which stemmed from his manipulation of a young man over social media.

Boyd’s criminal activities took place while he was already serving a prison sentence for previous violent offenses, including voluntary manslaughter and assaulting a correctional employee. Utilizing a contraband cell phone acquired within the prison, he created a deceptive profile on the dating application “Plenty of Fish,” impersonating an 18-year-old girl named “Jad” from Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The victim, who is referred to as “B.G.,” was a 22-year-old man who began communicating with Boyd in August 2023. Just two days following their initial interaction, Boyd dramatically altered the narrative, claiming “Jad” was actually a 15-year-old girl. This deception escalated as Boyd began to threaten B.G., asserting that he would report him to authorities and his family as a pedophile unless he complied with his demands for money.

In addition to direct threats, Boyd went further by making public accusations against B.G. on social media, suggesting he had evidence to support these claims. Ultimately, B.G. reported the incident to law enforcement. However, sadly, he died by suicide the same day the threats were made.

Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan, noted the grave consequences of Boyd’s actions and the direct impact they had on a young life. Boyd’s sextortion scheme, which involved both coercive threats and cyber harassment, was part of a deeply concerning trend, with significant implications for mental health and safety among young people.

Following his conviction, Boyd faced severe penalties including a maximum of 20 years for extortion, five years for stalking, and up to 20 years for each of the five counts of wire fraud. The nature of Boyd’s case emphasizes the growing prevalence of sextortion, particularly against vulnerable populations such as minors and young adults.

The FBI has reported alarming statistics regarding sextortion cases, noting that between October 2021 and March 2023, they received over 13,000 reports related to online financial exploitation targeting minors. Furthermore, at least 20 suicides have been identified as connected to this tragic form of exploitation.

One notable case highlighted by the FBI involves 17-year-old Jordan DeMay from Marquette, Michigan, who also succumbed to suicide after being manipulated by extortionists. Such incidents underline the urgent need for increased awareness and protective measures concerning online safety, especially for younger individuals who may not recognize the signs of emotional or psychological exploitation.

In summary, the sentencing of Glenn Daeward Boyd serves as a critical reminder of the dangers posed by sextortion schemes. Boyd’s illicit actions not only led to his conviction but also contributed to the devastating loss of a young life, reinforcing the important message that online harassment and extortion have very real and tragic consequences.

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Additional Resources

• WZZM13: South Carolina Prisoner Sextortion Case
• MSN News: Man Gets 22 Years in Sextortion Case
• Upper Michigan’s Source: Deadly Sextortion Ring Conviction
• Wikipedia: Sextortion
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Internet Crime