A New Orleans man was arrested after alleged attempts to extort $1.5 million from Kansas City Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu, a report from WDSU-TV revealed on Tuesday.
The NBC affiliate obtained an FBI affidavit that detailed the threats of Geourvon Sears, a distant relative of Mathieu’s who claimed he would provide the media with allegations of sexual misconduct by the player if he didn’t pay.
The FBI said that on April 20, Sears demanded $1.5 million from Mathieu. Things intensified as Sears made a number of threats.
Sears sent a text message to Mathieu which read: “$5 million by Friday, I’m done talking, emailing TMZ now.”
In the days following this text message, Sears told relatives of Mathieu that: “I want $1.5 million by Friday or I am going to kill all you all.”
The criminal complaint said Mathieu’s relatives feared for their safety.
The FBI affidavit denotes the victim as “TM.” According to WDSU, Sears’ attorney confirmed that Mathieu is the victim.
Mathieu’s agent, Denise White, told WDSU that the matter is a “very private and personal family issue.”
“He’s dealing with a family member who is dealing with a mental health issue,” White told WDSU. “Tyrann is fine. His family is fine. They are getting through.”
Sears was arrested in early May and has since been released on bond.
