FBI Offering Reward To Help NH Family Facing Extortion Attempts

HOLLIS, NH (CBS) – The FBI is offering a reward as it investigates multiple extortion attempts against a Hollis, New Hampshire family.

The agency's Boston field office says they are offering $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for harassing and inflicting animal cruelty on the family and their "Rickety Ranch" farm over the past two years.

Letters sent to the family seek $250,000 in exchange for the sender sparing the family from harm, and they also offer to help settle the family's ongoing disputes with the town.

In January of 2018, one of the barns on the property was burned to the ground. The truck parked in front of it was charred and totaled.

Special Agent Brian O'Hara says over the last several months, farm animals and pets have been injured and killed.

"It's been a tough, tough haul for them because the stuff has been constant and there are some days where it's one, two, three days in a row. Then there will be lull and then something else," O'Hara said. "Some of the stuff has been significant and people have been lucky to not been injured or killed."

All of the letters have been written in a rhyme and riddle format. The FBI says one of those letters said, "Just pay me now and you will win."

WBZ reached out to the family for comment but they asked for the FBI to handle all matters at this time.

"This family is living in fear," O'Hara said. "They are constantly watching their back looking over their shoulder wondering when the next shoe is going to drop."

If you have any information on who may be responsible the FBI urges you to call them right away. The number for the FBI field office in Boston is (857)-386-2000.

In:
• New Hampshire
• Lisa Gresci
• FBI
• Hollis