Suspect says he was a blackmail victim, too

Officials say no evidence backs up Eric Syverson, one of 2 charged with seeking money from teachers and coaches.

Last update: April 23, 2008 - 12:32 AM

Two men were charged Tuesday in a scheme to blackmail 22 male teachers and coaches from various south-metro schools by taping threatening letters on the doors of their homes.

One of the men, Eric Syverson, 39, of Eagan, told police that he had planned to continue blackmailing teachers and coaches until he had recovered $23,000, which he claimed he needed to pay off someone who was blackmailing him.

Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said that Syverson did not give police any evidence to substantiate his claim of being blackmailed.

Backstrom said Syverson used the Internet to get the names of the teachers and coaches, as well as their addresses and phone numbers.

"I think it's just an example to all of us that there is a lot of personal information available out there at the touch of a button, and it does expose people to potential predators," he said. "We just need to be aware of that."

Syverson and Joseph Schultz, 20, of Bloomington, were charged with conspiracy to commit coercion, a felony. Both were in the Dakota County jail Tuesday afternoon. Bail was set at $60,000 for Syverson and $30,000 for Schultz. Their next court appearance is set for May 5.

The complaint said that Schultz, who is a friend of Syverson's, helped Syverson stuff envelopes and drove him around to homes where Syverson left the letters.

The letters appeared to be identical and directed the recipient to place $1,000 in a Ziploc plastic bag and place it at a specific location in one of four Dakota County parks Friday. The letters said that child pornography would be planted or that allegations of sexual conduct with students would be made if the money were not delivered.

According to the complaint, police followed Syverson when he left his home early Saturday and drove to all four of the drop-off points. He admitted preparing and delivering the blackmail letters, the complaint said.

SUZANNE ZIEGLER

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