Extortion - Harassment as a business model WTF?

[jsearles22]

"Nightmare, I'm the owner of BlabberMouth, and I'm sure as hell legit. I will assume that it was yourself that was arrested and received a letter from my company, because I personally mailed out the first batch Friday night and people started receiving them Saturday, and since you posted this Saturday evening, either you, a friend or family member was the recipient of that letter... I know word spreads fast, but it doesn't spread THAT fast (again, I'm going to assume it was you, so my post will be directed to you- if it was someone that you know, feel free to substitue their name in).

To answer your question if anyone has ever heard of my company, probably not. Just because you haven't seen a business or company on TV, a billboard, or heard an ad on the radio doesn't mean that they don't exist or aren't "legit".

Now, if what I write in this post doesn't make you think I'm "legit" in what I'm doing, then you're more than welcome to leave your Profile up on my page and call my bluff and pray that no one in the WORLD calls my company and asks us to do a public notification on you. It's obvious that you aren't clear on what we do, how we operate, what the laws in the states in which we operate are, and why you got that letter. Oh, while you read this, maybe I might be more "legit" if I forewarn you that I've worked for the Kansas City Media Outlets (radio & TV stations) for over 15 years, on and off the air, and I have the tools and resources at my disposal to see my commitment to fulfill my company's mision and better our community completely.

First, BlabberMouth started on April 13, 2012, and it does take time before word is spread about a new business... however, in my case, the number of hits on my site since Saturday is about 500,000... so I'm sure that people are now aware of my company... all in 3 short days. And I will correct you because my company doesn't send "mailers"- it's a single letter telling someone they have a Profile on my site.

Second, The main purpose of my company is to make the public aware of the criminal actions of others in their neighborhood and their community, NOT to take off Profiles from my site- I HATE that option, but there is such a thing called "Defamation of Character", so by State Law, I have no choice but to offer an option to those who were arrested and are innocent of the charges brought against them to "opt-out" of being featured in our public notifications.

AS A COURTESY TO YOU AND OTHERS WITH MISDEMEANOR AND LESS SERIOUS FELONIES I allow them to remove their full Profile page, or pieces of information from it, no matter the status of their case or whether they are guilty or were found guilty of their charges. TBH- There is no law or rule that says I have to let anyone that's guilty of their charges come off of the site that I own if I don't want to, and I'm perfectly in my legal right to charge someone for destroying something that I spent my time creating. So, consider it a privilege that I'm even offering to take you off my site. I could just up and drop the removal option and go out and spread public knowledge and fact about anyone on my site if I wanted to under my 1st Amendment right (which has been done and challenged by others and prevailed in court). HOWEVER, I have morals and I want to run my company ethically, so I give people a chance to come off the site before we even consider doing a public campaign on them.

Third, NO, I'm not going to go out and BLAST someone just because I feel like it or because they stay up on my site because they didn't send compensation to my company to remove their profile- I'm not an asshole (sure, I might sound like one right now, but I'll get to why I'm writing in this tone in a second). I give people every opportunity and several options to get off of my site (some options are free, and the ones that cost range from $100-$250). BUT if they choose to stay on my site and someone asks us to spread the information on that Profile to the public, then we might spread the information. Again, we're not going to reveal anything just because someone didn't come off my site- I have a lot of factors that go into whether or not I do a public notification on someone.

Lastly, your statement that I blackmail people has no merit and shows me that you either haven't been to my site, or you didn't read the information pages on my site throughly or the letter throughly. Blackmail in the state of Kansas and Missouri, in laymen terms, is trying to get cash from someone by threatening to reveal information about them. I'm not threatening to reveal a damn thing because I already revealed it the second I, or someone that works for me, put up a Profile page with your information, and when we print our envelopes to mail the letters in because we put the mugshot, name, and address of the person smack-dab on the front of the envelope (which I'm sure you're aware of this) so that any person that handles it or views the envelope is made aware that that person was arrested (and that's usually a good 20-30 people, plus the guys at the post office I mail these from LOVE looking at the mugshots, and there's a good 40 people working there too). That is all done before a person is even aware that they are up on my site and before they read any correspondence from me about being on my site and the options available to them to remove their Profile. Hell, some people sat up on my site for over a month before I even sent out my letters, and I had 8,000 hits to my site while the temporary layout was being decided. Does it FEEL like blackmail? It might to you, but the law says that it isn't, and I have spent THOUSANDS of dollars with lawyers to make sure that what I'm doing isn't blackmail, extortion (which, BTW, there are no laws on extortion in Kansas), slander, and a slue of other crimes or accusations that people have and want to throw at me.

Yes, I could save myself the $1.69 it costs to print and mail each letter, but I have morals and felt that people should know their information and address is up on my website, rather than have them find out and be embarrassed because a friend, co-worker, or family member tells them because they did a search on that person's name, or they see a FaceBook post with their mugshot and link to my site. There are straight "mugshot industry/removal" sites that put people up, print them in newspapers that they sell FOR PROFIT in stores, and not even bother telling the person and then charge you over $400 to get your stuff off of one site... God forbid it's up on more than one site! THOSE are the companies that you should question about being "legit". I could charge a LOT more to let people come off my site, but as I'm NOT out to "line my pockets" and get "phat wads of cash", and I understand that most people in today's economy DON'T have a ton of extra cash laying around, I chose to set my price to simply cover my costs. If you would rather me not take the time to manually fold, stuff, and stamp over 1,000 letters per week to those on my site, OR if you think I'm being too nice for sending out these letters, please let me know, because I spend well over $1,500 per week in postage and printing costs to mail those letters and I had to ignore my 2-year-old son and listen to him cry for my attention for 2 days to do that, just so I could give you an opportunity to salvage what you can of your reputation. Hell, that money could be given to my employees as raises because they all work their ass off for me and put up with a LOT of pissed off people calling up and cussing them out and threatening them (which in itself is a crime) simply because they jump to the conclusion that I'm "blackmailing" them.

In conclusion, Nightmare, my tone in this post is as such because it's obvious that you want to talk trash about my company, and it's apparent that you either don't understand what our purpose is and are deciding to not take us seriously.

I can't possibly be the only one that was picturing jsearls while reading this.

I do live VERY close to KC, work in the security industry, and have a strong background in business operation. I have a great working knowledge of the legal system and have quite a few connections. I'm not saying, I'm just saying.

[Sloppy Joe]

I can't possibly be the only one that was picturing jsearls while reading this.

I do live VERY close to KC, work in the security industry, and have a strong background in business operation. I have a great working knowledge of the legal system and have quite a few connections. I'm not saying, I'm just saying.

What?

[BCR]

Guy's casting too wide a net and drawing too much attention to himself to stay around for long. The law will stop him, or a thug will kill him. Information is money, and I've known people to make a lot of money off of it, but not canvassing like this. Having the goods on one wealthy person is worth more than a thousand randoms. I've seen this done on a small scale with strippers, escorts, etc. focused on extorting a lot out of a few. People with high-profile jobs, or spouses who can get half of a lot are a way better target. Still dangerous, but not as dangerous as this.

[OSA]

Guy's casting too wide a net and drawing too much attention to himself to stay around for long. The law will stop him, or a thug will kill him. Information is money, and I've known people to make a lot of money off of it, but not canvassing like this. Having the goods on one wealthy person is worth more than a thousand randoms. I've seen this done on a small scale with strippers, escorts, etc. focused on extorting a lot out of a few. People with high-profile jobs, or spouses who can get half of a lot are a way better target. Still dangerous, but not as dangerous as this.

Like I said, these "lists" are bought by companies for like 20k and pay like $350 to be updated every year. Kinda like drug dealers.

[Baron Von Strucker]

the owner of this site is going to end up in a dumpster.l

I am sure the guy has friends and relatives in high places or fucked up bible thumper in the state and feels untouchable. How nieve people are. I would like to here what Finkelstein has to say about this.

[BCR]

Guy's casting too wide a net and drawing too much attention to himself to stay around for long. The law will stop him, or a thug will kill him. Information is money, and I've known people to make a lot of money off of it, but not canvassing like this. Having the goods on one wealthy person is worth more than a thousand randoms. I've seen this done on a small scale with strippers, escorts, etc. focused on extorting a lot out of a few. People with high-profile jobs, or spouses who can get half of a lot are a way better target. Still dangerous, but not as dangerous as this.

Like I said, these "lists" are bought by companies for like 20k and pay like $350 to be updated every year. Kinda like drug dealers.

Oh, I know. There is a monthly newspaper that comes out where I live called something like "The Valley's Most Wanted" that puts every person arrested for anything from jaywalking to murder every month. Mugshots if available. I thank god every day it didn't exist when I was 20 or I would have never got past any girl's parents ever for a date. By simply selling a newspaper I don't think they are guilty of anything, or every crime section of a local newspaper would be guilty of it. But if the editor contacted people and offered a way out for x amount, I would guess he's crossed the line into extortion. A quid pro quo like this certainly feels like extortion, and this guy is putting his face out there like Joe Francis, except instead of mad dads being pissed, you're going to have an array of people who have committed crimes pissed at you.

I can freely tell an acquaintance's wife that he is cheating on her if I was motivated by my personal morality. I can approach him first and allow him to try and convince me to not tell her. But if I offer my silence for $, I'm pretty sure most courts are going to interpret that as extortion.

[Muck Ficon]

The services they offer for sale to anybody who wants to fuck with you:

1. They will canvass your neighborhood putting flyers about you at every residence.

2. For certain crimes they will publically put you up on billboards.

3. They will monitor arrest records for landlords and employers.

But you can get out of all that by just sending them $200.

This is a pretty fucked up deal. Looks like extortion to me.

I would hate to be the guy with that job. I can just see him putting a flyer on a car window, turning around and being face to face with the guy on the flyer. Probably wouldn't end well.

[WillieMcFML]

The services they offer for sale to anybody who wants to fuck with you:

1. They will canvass your neighborhood putting flyers about you at every residence.

2. For certain crimes they will publically put you up on billboards.

3. They will monitor arrest records for landlords and employers.

But you can get out of all that by just sending them $200.

This is a pretty fucked up deal. Looks like extortion to me.

I would hate to be the guy with that job. I can just see him putting a flyer on a car window, turning around and being face to face with the guy on the flyer. Probably wouldn't end well.

it doesn't even have to be that guy

most fuckups live in residential neighborhoods with other fuckups, and those other fuckups will not appreciate a "snitch"

...even though 90% have, in fact, snitched before

[zealanddonk]

The services they offer for sale to anybody who wants to fuck with you:

1. They will canvass your neighborhood putting flyers about you at every residence.

2. For certain crimes they will publically put you up on billboards.

3. They will monitor arrest records for landlords and employers.

But you can get out of all that by just sending them $200.

This is a pretty fucked up deal. Looks like extortion to me.

I would hate to be the guy with that job. I can just see him putting a flyer on a car window, turning around and being face to face with the guy on the flyer. Probably wouldn't end well.

They need someone like NeverHeeb who can throw flyers like ninja stars.

[JACKDANIELS]

so jsearles is a mall cop ? everything makes sense now.

[jsearles22]

so jsearles is a mall cop ? everything makes sense now.

[FuHQHomieStepOff]

so jsearles is a mall cop ? everything makes sense now.

HE REALLY IS. HE'S AN OVERWEIGHT SECURITY GUARD AT SOME FOOD PROCESSING PLACE. HE TRIES TO DENY IT BY SAYING HE IS MANAGEMENT BUT WE ALL KNOW THE TRUTH.

[herbertstemple]

This is a great idea to make money. Doubt hes going to be harmed. The people that would don't give a crap what's posted on the internet about them. More likely they're proud of it.

I don't believe all his bs about justifying his site. Hes just doing it for the money. But it's a very good idea.

[cmoney]

This is a great idea to make money. Doubt hes going to be harmed. The people that would don't give a crap what's posted on the internet about them. More likely they're proud of it.

I don't believe all his bs about justifying his site. Hes just doing it for the money. But it's a very good idea.

Micon?

[OSA]

This is a great idea to make money. Doubt hes going to be harmed. The people that would don't give a crap what's posted on the internet about them. More likely they're proud of it.

I don't believe all his bs about justifying his site. Hes just doing it for the money. But it's a very good idea.

Micon?

If you are willing to front the cash for the lists, I would put my name on the site and in return you would get a percentage of "sales".

[Sandwich]

I haven't read all of this, but can somebody explain how this ISN'T "Extortion in the Second Degree" under Missouri law?
Demanding payment under the threat of releasing info damaging to one's reputation? It's almost the classic case of 2nd degree extortion.

Scum.

[jsearles22]

I haven't read all of this, but can somebody explain how this ISN'T "Extortion in the Second Degree" under Missouri law?
Demanding payment under the threat of releasing info damaging to one's reputation? It's almost the classic case of 2nd degree extortion.

Scum.

His claim (and backed by his lawyers) is that he has ALREADY released the information and he is simply giving you the option to opt out, for a fee of course.

And to the earlier comment that no one will harm the guy because this class of criminal doesnt care about the internet, you obvioulsy havent read all of the information. If paid by ANYONE, this guy will go to your neighborhood and plaster the information on billboards, street corner posts, etc

[herbertstemple]

I haven't read all of this, but can somebody explain how this ISN'T "Extortion in the Second Degree" under Missouri law?
Demanding payment under the threat of releasing info damaging to one's reputation? It's almost the classic case of 2nd degree extortion.

Scum.

His claim (and backed by his lawyers) is that he has ALREADY released the information and he is simply giving you the option to opt out, for a fee of course.

And to the earlier comment that no one will harm the guy because this class of criminal doesnt care about the internet, you obvioulsy havent read all of the information. If paid by ANYONE, this guy will go to your neighborhood and plaster the information on billboards, street corner posts, etc

Hes just blowing smoke here to give more incentive to pay. This dude isnt going to the ghetto to to hassle some drug dealer. Hes going after middle class guys that made a mistake, have some money, and want the whole thing to go away. I made a little booboo years ago and would have paid not to let the info get to certain people. This guy is going to rake in some really easy money.

[Sandwich]

His claim (and backed by his lawyers) is that he has ALREADY released the information and he is simply giving you the option to opt out, for a fee of course.

I seriously wonder how a judge would view that argument. Sounds like a distinction without a difference to me. And after you get over that easy legal hurdle, it doesn't sound too hard to prove to a jury that he "already" released the information for the purpose of extracting a fee for the "option to opt out".

[jsearles22]

His claim (and backed by his lawyers) is that he has ALREADY released the information and he is simply giving you the option to opt out, for a fee of course.

I seriously wonder how a judge would view that argument. Sounds like a distinction without a difference to me. And after you get over that easy legal hurdle, it doesn't sound too hard to prove to a jury that he "already" released the information for the purpose of extracting a fee for the "option to opt out".

The arrest records that he is posting are public information. The posting of the records and mugshots is perfectly legal. Giving someone the option to opt out (but charging them for your time and convenience) is also perfectly legal.

I do think he muddys the water by sending the letters to their homes though. If he simply put out the website and there was a link to click to opt out then that would be one thing, but he is obviously targeting the criminals for a profit.

Morale of the story is dont break the law and you wont have to worry about it!