Darnell Khan, Military Sextortion, South Carolina 2023

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South Carolina Inmate Sentenced to Federal Prison for Role in Military Sextortion Scheme

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – Darnell Khan, 39, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to his role in a scheme to extort and defraud military members that was operated from the South Carolina Department of Correction (SCDC).

Evidence presented to the Court showed that while serving a 25-year sentence in SCDC for voluntary manslaughter and attempted armed robbery, Khan smuggled smartphones into SCDC and used the internet to join internet dating websites. Once on the internet dating websites, Khan would pose as a young woman, target young men who were in the military, and solicit nude photographs. Once the photographs were received, Khan and others posed as the father of the young woman, claimed that the young woman was underage, and accused the military member of being in possession of child pornography. Khan and others then threatened to have the military members arrested or dishonorably discharged unless they paid money.

“Mr. Khan knowingly used deceit to prey on those who serve our nation. This is inexcusable,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs. “This case also shows that nothing good comes from smartphones in prison. Inmates use them to continue criminal activity behind bars, and we hope this prosecution helps state officials in their efforts to eliminate and disable contraband phones in prison.”

Between January 2017 and July 2017, due to this extortion, service members transferred funds to Khan totaling $62,500.71, which investigators traced to at least 40 victims.

Khan’s 84-month federal prison sentence will be served after he completes his 25-year state prison sentence. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and the South Carolina Department of Correction. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine Orville and Amy Bower prosecuted the case.

Bryan Stirling, Director of SCDC, called on Congress to support a hearing on the Cellphone Jamming Reform Act and allow states to use technology to stop inmates from using these illegal phones to prey on innocent victims.