A Shurtleff Street man is being held on high bail in Framingham after being charged with extorting a Framingham man – allegedly going so far as to create a website claiming the victim was a murderer wanted in Brazil.
Devair Teodoro-Lima, 52, of 61 Shurtleff St., pleaded not guilty in Framingham District Court on Tuesday, but was held over on $25,000 bail due to the allegations – that according to the MetroWest Daily News.
Starting in 2011, Lima allegedly began calling the victim and demanding money for a land deal conducted in Brazil with the victim’s father.
Lima and several friends continued the harassing and threatening calls for some months. They even allegedly started a website proclaiming that the victim was wanted by law enforcement in Brazil for a murder – among other criminal acts.
Frightened by the continued harassment, the victim allegedly paid Lima $3,000 last January.
However, Lima allegedly began calling again in February demanding $150,000 cash.
When the victim wouldn’t pay, Lima allegedly told him that he had “people” in Brazil waiting for his word, and when they got that word, they were ready to “snap the necks” of the victim’s relatives and father.
That’s when the victim began working with law enforcement.
Lima is officially charged with extortion, harassing/annoying phone calls, and threatening to commit a crime.
He was held on $25,000 and ordered to hand over his passport if he makes bail.