As tears rolled down her cheeks, Christina Artac told a Hennepin County judge how the biggest mistake of her life -- her role in an extortion plot that led to a man's suicide -- is also what turned it around.
"I was on a downhill spiral when it happened and I feel it happened for a reason," Artac said Tuesday at her sentencing for felony coercion. "I'm doing really good right now, and I just want to continue living. I'm sorry for what I did."
Artac, 32, received a stayed sentence and 30 days in the Hennepin County Workhouse for her role in the plot that led to the May 2010 suicide of Daniel L. Kreye, 57.
Artac's co-defendants, Shannon Gura, 27, of Huntsville, Ala., and alleged pimp Rickey Pouncil, 46, of Rosemount also have pleaded guilty to coercion. Gura will be sentenced Thursday, while Pouncil will be sentenced Aug. 16.
According to charges, Gura and Pouncil blackmailed Kreye for more than $500,000 by threatening to reveal an explicit photo and text messages to his wife of 31 years. Kreye shot himself at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and left a note saying, "I am being extorted over $500,000. Best for my family and friends."
Days later Artac, a former prostitute, called his home pretending to be Gura in hopes of extorting more money, unaware that he'd already taken his life. Artac and Gura testified against Pouncil in a pre-sentencing hearing last month, painting him as the scheme's mastermind.
If Artac stays out of trouble for the next three years, she will be convicted of a misdemeanor. District Judge Philip Bush took into account that Artac's involvement came after Kreye's death, she showed remorse and cooperated with prosecutors. She will be allowed work release to attend her job in St. Paul.
Kreye's widow did not attend the hearing but is expected to be present when Pouncil is sentenced.
