BOSTON - A Mattapoisett man was sentenced today in federal court for extortion of a South Coast businessman.
Daniel A. Spooner, 54, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Patti B. Saris to two years in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. On Dec. 16, 2011, Spooner pleaded guilty to extortion and attempted extortion.
On several occasions during July 2011, Spooner demanded a $10,000 payment from a businessman who operates a vending machine business in Mass. Spooner told the businessman that Spooner was a “strong arm” guy for an unidentified “made member” of La Cosa Nostra in Providence, R.I., and that the $10,000 was a “protection” payment. Spooner said that if the victim failed to make the payment, the victim or his family would be harmed. Spooner threatened the victim both over the telephone and in person. On Aug. 1, 2011, during a meeting between the victim and Spooner, Spooner became upset and made further threats when the victim gave him $1,000 instead of the $10,000 payment that Spooner had demanded.
At today’s sentencing, the prosecutor stated that after a thorough investigation, the government concluded that Spooner had acted on his own, not at the behest of anyone connected with La Cosa Nostra.
Judge Saris directed that Spooner be evaluated at a federal medical facility with regard to his mental health and his claimed need for human growth hormone and testosterone, which the medical officers at the Wyatt Detention Facility had refused to dispense to Spooner.
Spooner has been in custody since his arrest on Aug. 5, 2011.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Richard DesLauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Boston Field Division made the announcement today. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael L. Tabak of Ortiz’s Organized Crime Strike Force Unit.
