Minn. Man Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Extortion Charges | News

A Minnesota man has pleaded not guilty to federal charges he tried to extort $50 million from various federal and state agencies, and threatened to kidnap politicians.

Brian Jacobson, of Battle Lake, Minn., faces two counts of transmitting threatening communications. He was arraigned in Fargo on Monday.

Investigators say Jacobson left threatening voice mail messages with the U.S. Marshals Service office in Fargo, demanding to be paid $50 million for an alleged contract with the city of Fargo.

Jacobson allegedly said he could legally take U.S. Senator John Hoeven, former North Dakota Gov. Ed Schaefer and U.S. Senate candidate Heidi Heitkamp into custody and put them on trial.

Jacobson faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison.

The trial is scheduled for May 29.

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