Police Say Suspects Used A Bound-And-Gagged Photo And Ransom Demand; Victim’s Friend Was Later Found Safe
Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 9:00 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
WASHINGTON, DC.- Three individuals have been charged in connection with an alleged extortion scheme in Southeast Washington, D.C., that Metropolitan Police say involved staging a kidnapping and demanding ransom money from the victim.
According to a news release issued Monday by the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, the incident began on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at approximately 6:22 p.m., when the suspects contacted the victim and falsely claimed that the victim’s friend had been kidnapped. Investigators said the suspects provided the victim with a photograph depicting her friend bound and gagged and demanded a ransom in exchange for her purported safe release.
MPD stated that the victim immediately contacted police, and officers responded to the 1900 block of Massachusetts Avenue, Southeast, where detectives began an investigation.
Shortly after the initial report, detectives located the victim’s friend safe and unharmed. Further investigation revealed that the kidnapping had been staged and that the victim’s friend, along with two additional suspects, allegedly attempted to extort money from the victim by fabricating the abduction scenario.
As a result of the investigation, 36-year-old Shante Duncan Sanders, of Northeast Washington, D.C., and 42-year-old Nordia Coy, of Northwest Washington, D.C., were arrested on Friday, December 5, 2025, and each was charged with Extortion, Metropolitan Police said.
The investigation continued, leading to a third arrest weeks later. On Thursday, February 19, 2026, members of the U.S. Marshals Service, acting pursuant to a D.C. Superior Court arrest warrant, located and arrested 34-year-old Asia Coy, of Silver Spring, Maryland. She was also charged with Extortion.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Editor’s Note:
This article was written by Art Fletcher, Executive, and is based on information released by the Metropolitan Police Department. Details are subject to change as court proceedings continue and additional information becomes available.
