Md. Man Gets 7 Years For Extorting Former Boss

FREDERICK, Md. (AP) -- A Frederick man is going to prison for extortion and burglary of a well-known hotel-and-restaurant complex in Thurmont.

The Frederick News-Post reports that Patrick Plunkard, 55, was sentenced Monday in Frederick to seven years for crimes involving the Cozy Inn.

The judge suspended another 16 years of prison time.

Plunkard pleaded guilty in October to burglarizing the inn and extorting money from his former boss there. He once worked at the reception desk.

Police say Plunkard demanded $5,000 from owner Gerald Freeze and threatened to destroy the inn unless Freeze paid up. Police arrested Plunkard in January when he tried to retrieve the money in Frederick's Baker Park.

Plunkard allegedly burglarized the inn twice last November and took $2,200 from a safe.

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