Couple Charged With Fake Kidnapping

CLARKSBURG, W.Va.—A Grafton couple who befriended an elderly woman and became her caretakers have been charged with faking a kidnapping to extort a $20,000 ransom from her.

Fifty-three-year-old Eric Zuspan and his wife, 52-year-old Teri Trickett, are charged with extortion and wire fraud in an indictment handed up by a grand jury in Clarksburg.

U.S. Attorney Sharon L. Potter said Thursday the scheme dates to January, when they began to gain the woman’s trust by providing in-home care. They faked Trickett’s kidnapping in March.

They are charged with devising a fraudulent scheme and lying to FBI investigators about the fake kidnapping. Zuspan also faces a weapons charge.

The couple’s home telephone has been disconnected, and defense attorney James Zimarowski did not immediately return a message.

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