Dan Sandler, Elmo impersonator, sentenced to a year in prison in Girl Scouts extortion plot
(CBS/AP) NEW YORK - A homeless man who went on an anti-Semitic tirade in New York City's Times Square while dressed as Elmo was sentenced to a year in prison in a plot to extort $2 million from the Girl Scouts.
Dan Sandler, 50, was sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty to attempted grand larceny and misdemeanor stalking as part of a deal with prosecutors.
Sandler, of Ashland, Ore., was accused of threatening to publicize false information about the Girl Scouts unless he got the money. Prosecutors say he sent harassing emails and photos to an employee of the nonprofit.
According to CBS New York, Sandler said before his sentence that he admitted that he committed a crime, but was "not in any way sorry to the Girls Scouts organization."
Sandler was arrested last year in Times Square while wearing the "Sesame Street" character costume and causing a scene that blocked traffic. He pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct. A defense attorney has said his rants weren't a real threat.
The station reports the court also issued an order of protection that prohibits Sandler from contacting the Girl Scouts.
Complete coverage of Dan Sandler on Crimesider
