Former U.S. Coast Guard Official Pleads Guilty to Extortion

A former U.S. Coast Guard petty officer pleaded guilty to using his position to extort tens of thousands of dollars from the family of an illegal immigrant. Benjamin Bostic, age 35, of Macomb Township, Michigan entered the guilty plea in United States District Court in Ann Arbor, Michigan before Judge John Corbett OMeara. Information presented to the court at the time of the plea showed that between September of 2006 and April of 2008, while BOSTIC held the rank of First Class Petty Officer with the United States Coast Guard, he offered and agreed to use his position to assist a non-citizen illegal alien to avoid being taken into custody and deported from the United States. In return, BOSTIC demanded and was paid more than $30,000 from the family of the illegal alien. Under the terms of the plea agreement, BOSTIC faces 36 months in prison, the maximum term provided under the law, as well as a fine of up to $100,000. A sentencing hearing was set by Judge OMeara for April 14, 2009 at 2:00 p.m.