13-month sentence in deadly extortion scheme

Tears didn't flow when Susan Kreye told Rickey Pouncil how her life had changed since her husband's suicide.

She didn't cry as she testified about the betrayal she felt, or how she had to sell the Bloomington house where they raised their two children. She explained how she was drowning in debt after Pouncil extorted as much as $500,000 from Daniel Kreye until Kreye shot himself, leaving a note saying it was "best for my family and friends." She stopped briefly in Hennepin County District Court Tuesday to compose herself before speaking of her 4-year-old granddaughter who asks when Grandpa is coming home.

Only when deputies snapped handcuffs around Pouncil's wrists and led him away to serve a 13-month prison sentence for coercion did Susan Kreye smile.

"That's good," she told supporters, an arm around her weeping daughter.

Pouncil, 47, pleaded guilty this summer to felony coercion for a nine-month extortion scheme that netted at least $165,000 from 57-year-old Kreye before he killed himself in May at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Pouncil must also pay $165,000 in restitution -- the amount prosecutors can prove was taken, although they believe it's much more.

Two women, Shannon Gura, 27, and Christina Artac, 32, pleaded guilty in connection with the scheme and testified against Pouncil at a pre-sentencing hearing. Gura, who pleaded guilty to coercion, received a stayed three-year sentence and 90 days in the Hennepin County Workhouse. Artac, who pleaded guilty to attempted coercion, also received a stayed three-year sentence and is serving 90 days in the workhouse.

Both painted Pouncil as an intimidator and ringleader of the scheme that began when Gura befriended Daniel Kreye through Alcoholics Anonymous and later met Pouncil, who allegedly came up with the idea to blackmail Kreye, founder of a steel construction company. Pouncil threatened to reveal explicit photos and text messages Kreye had exchanged with Gura.

When he pleaded guilty, Pouncil maintained that he only drove Gura to a parking lot to meet Kreye and acted as a bodyguard while she extorted the money.

Assistant Hennepin County Attorney Emery Adoradio urged a longer sentence than the state recommendation, a stayed 13-month sentence, because the crime involved a major economic offense and three or more people took part.

Hennepin County District Judge Philip Bush agreed to a 13-month prison sentence based on the major economic offense. He said there was no proof that three or more people were involved because Artac's role in the scheme was minimal. The suicide, although tragic, was not a factor that would justify a longer sentence, Bush ruled. The judge told Pouncil that if he weren't limited by state guidelines, he would have given him more prison time.

"It's clear to me your actions were driven by greed, and you found a way to prey upon Daniel Kreye's weaknesses," Bush said.

Pouncil, his large arms crossed in front of his chest, delivered a flat "No." when asked if he wanted to address the court or Kreye's family.

She doubts she will see any restitution, and doesn't blame the women involved. They were afraid of Pouncil and intimidated. As for Pouncil, she said, 13 months isn't enough:

"It would be nice if his sentence equaled what mine has been."